Police Abbreviations

Police abbreviations cover everything from everyday events to extreme emergencies. Here are a few that are used for accidents and traffic stops:

A Adult
AC Aircraft crash
BLK Block
E-B Eastbound
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival
INJ Injury
I/S Intersection
J Juvenile involved
LIC License
M/C Motorcycle
MVA Motor Vehicle Accident
NIA Non-Injury Accident
OBS Observed
PI Personal Injury
POSS Possession
SPD Speed
UL Unable to Locate
VEH Vehicle
WIT Witness

These police abbreviations used when a crime has been committed.

ADW Assault with a Deadly Weapon
B&E Breaking & Entering
CCW Carrying a Concealed Weapon
CSU Crime Scene Unit
DOC Disorderly Conduct
DUI Driving Under Influence
DUS Driving Under Suspension
DWI Driving While Intoxicated
GSR Gun Shot Residue
GTA Grand Theft Auto
MP Missing Person
PV Parole Violation
SWAT Special Weapons and Tactics Team

Following are some of the more common police abbreviations dealing with paperwork and trials:

APB All points bulletin
BKG Booking
BOLO Be On the Lookout
CP Complaining Party
CPD City or County Property Damage
CT Court
FTA Failure to Appear
NCIC National Criminal Information Center
OD Off Duty
QT Secrecy required
ROF Report on File
RP Reporting Party

Police Communication Codes

Radio codes are extremely important when there is an emergency and time is of the essence. Codes are numerical abbreviations and can allow help to arrive faster. Following is a sampling of the codes used by the police in their communications by radio:

10-0 Use Caution
10-13 Advise weather and road conditions
10-14 Convoy or escort detail
10-15 Prisoner in custody
10-22 Cancel last message/Take no further action
10-26 Driver's license check by number or name
10-27 Check for wants or warrants
10-75 Severe weather statement
10-78 Send ambulance
10-79 Send wrecker
10-103 Disturbance
10-103f Disturbance by fight
10-107 Suspicious person
10-108 Officer down or Officer needs assistance
11-6 Illegal discharge of firearms
11-7 Prowler
11-13 Injured animal
11-27 Subject has felony record, but is not wanted
11-31 Person calling for help
11-41 Request Ambulance
11-42 Ambulance not required
11-43 Doctor required
11-44 Coroner required
11-45 Attempted suicide
11-47 Injured Person
11-70 Fire Alarm
11-80 Traffic Accident - Serious Injury
11-81 Traffic Accident - Minor Injury
11-82 Traffic Accident - No Injury
11-99 Officer needs Help/Emergency

Your Rights if You Are Arrested

When you are arrested, the first thing to be concerned about is the Miranda Warning. The person arresting you must tell you that you can remain silent, anything you say can be used against you, and you have the right to a lawyer. Also, if you can not afford one, one will be provided.

When you are arrested, the police have 72 hours before they have to release you or have you see a magistrate to inform you of the charges. You can be arrested on suspicion and the lawyers have that time to decide if there is enough for charges to be made.

You do have the right to not answer any questions without a lawyer present. Do not think that you can talk your way out of it. If it is serious enough for a trip to the station, you probably should wait for a lawyer. You also have the right to expect to be treated in a just manner.

You may sign away your right to remain silent if your decision to do so is made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. Basically, if you are not under the influence, you understand what you are doing, and you are not intimidated into it, you can forego your right to silence.

The Booking Process

When you arrive at the station, the booking process will begin. You will be photographed, from the front and the side, and your fingerprints will be taken. After that, the police will process the prints through the computer and assign you a number. They will schedule an arraignment where the charges are explained and you plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest. You will remain in jail until your trial or until you post bail.

Bail is like insurance that you will show up for your trial. You pay a certain amount of money and if you do not appear in court, you do not get any of it back. You would also be charged with another offense called “failure to appear”.

Police Abbreviations