What is an "X-Ray"?

[GrizzlyGuy]

I hear that term used a lot on the scanner by our local police dispatch. They aren't using it as a phonetic for the letter X. Based on context, it seems to refer to a person and may mean a juvenile or an unknown individual(?).

Google search has failed me. Does anyone know what it really means?

[norcal01]

Where I used to work it meant a female. If a male officer was transporting a female subject they would let dispatch know that they were transporting an "X" and the starting mileage on their car. When they got where they were going they would advise the ending mileage and dispatch would note the starting and ending times.

[mej16489]

I've only ever seen it used in two scenarios. One is the obvious phoenetic use.

The other was with regard to temporary callsigns via mutual-aid.

[Cpl. Haas]

In the bay area, where I worked, there were three common cases when X-ray was used:

Phonetically to represent the letter X...

When transporting a female (aka "1-Y-29, show me 10-15 with an X-ray")...

And the letters X, Y, and Z were also used to designate whether a unit was working day, swing, or graveyard shift. Every once in a while, the county units would identify themselves phonetically ("1-X-ray-31", instead of just "1-X-31").

[Ron-Solo]

LASD uses X-ray to designate a non-dispatchable unit in the field that needs to get on the radio for something. Usually for station personnel on a detail for court, headquarters run, etc that are not subject to recieving calls for service.

For example, a deputyassigned to the City of La Puente from Industry Station going to Sheriff's headquarters in Monterey Park that came upon an accident on the freeway would identify himself to the communications center as 143X. 14=Industry Station, 3=La Puente, X=unassigned/non-dispatchable unit.

Some agencies use it to identify a female. It varies greatly by department.

[fal_762x51]

X-ray here is a female.

[pieeater]

Used to be Female or Dayshift around here. I remember years ago lol was little old lady. Dont know if they still use that anywhere.

[CapnHawk]

X-Ray signifies an extra car on my department.

[IrishJoe3]

X-ray here is a female.

What he said

[BigDogatPlay]

Everywhere I worked it's a female or a reference to an officer's spouse... e.g "10-21 message from your X".

Some departments around these parts use X as a car designator also. Day shift = X, Evening = Y, Mids = Z, that sort of thing.

[GrizzlyGuy]

Thanks all, based on the consensus of the answers and the context of how they use it, it sounds like "female" is the winner.

[Wherryj]

Where I used to work it meant a female. If a male officer was transporting a female subject they would let dispatch know that they were transporting an "X" and the starting mileage on their car. When they got where they were going they would advise the ending mileage and dispatch would note the starting and ending times.

Probably due to women having the extra X chromosome?

(Women XX, Men XY-with a few genetic exceptions)

[Triad]

For us its used twice, one for a female or to tell me the person I just ran has an Xray number through the DMV

[GrizzlyGuy]

For us its used twice, one for a female or to tell me the person I just ran has an Xray number through the DMV

What is an Xray number?

[Jwood562]

My department I only hear for the letter x and an x ray number from the DMV.

An X-ray number is a temp I'd number given to you if you fo not have a state ID/license. For example a minor with no ID or driving record gets caught driving and gets a ticket. The DMV will assign that juvie a x ray number. Like your license number but it starts with an x