Codes and more Codes..

[BoJackUSMC]

I am only in the hiring process with LASD and OCSD right now. I have been studying radio codes daily and WOW... I was very surprised and overwhelmed by it, (not including vehicle penal codes) I am not even ready for that yet.

I have been memorizing 5 codes per day and now I know more than 30 codes now. I know I still have long way to go, but I think knowing some of the codes before going to the academy will help me out a lot.

[epilepticninja]

Once you start using them, they are not so overwhelming. However I used to have in my patrol bag copies of the MV and Penal code, along with cheat sheets for the B&P, H&S codes and county/city ordinances. I also kept a list of our 10 and 11 codes in my posse box. Wait until you have to start learning street names.

[retired]

I honestly would recommend that you stop the memorizing until you are actually hired by one dept. or another. Since you are attempting to memorize the codes for both depts. and I would surmise there are differences between the two, you may have a problem in remembering which is for which dept. That could prove embarrassing when asked by a DI about a certain code and you give the other dept. code by mistake.

When I went thru the LASD academy all those many years ago, I didn't know the codes beforehand. They passed out the code book to the sheriff's cadets and I began memorizing it then. I'm sure they have added/or changed a few since I retired, but it shouldn't be too hard to do it while in the academy.

[Samuelx]

Hey, at least no more 8 codes...

[Notorious]

If you had to choose, go with the LASD codes. Most codes are used by local agencies the same way, 10 codes and penal codes are widely used. LAPD has a proprietary code system that is just way out there with Code 6 Charles and whatnot which has nothing to do with our regular Code 6 as we use it.

[POLICESTATE]

Start listening to a scanner if you aren't already. That will greatly help you to remember them. Looking at them on a sheet of paper is one thing, hearing them in context is another.

[POLICESTATE]

Every county has differences past 10-21 it seems. Alameda County SO and all the city depts use the same system, same as Santa Clara County SO and the city depts in that county.

OC vs LA is going to have differences.

However references to PC will be the same. A 459 call in LA is going to be the same as a 459 call in Sacramento, of course when you go to a different state it all changes.

I honestly would recommend that you stop the memorizing until you are actually hired by one dept. or another. Since you are attempting to memorize the codes for both depts. and I would surmise there are differences between the two, you may have a problem in remembering which is for which dept. That could prove embarrassing when asked by a DI about a certain code and you give the other dept. code by mistake.

When I went thru the LASD academy all those many years ago, I didn't know the codes beforehand. They passed out the code book to the sheriff's cadets and I began memorizing it then. I'm sure they have added/or changed a few since I retired, but it shouldn't be too hard to do it while in the academy.

[Notorious]

If you know the 10 codes from 1 to 22, 35, and 97/98 you are pretty good to go. I hardly ever go past those codes except to call for a tow which is an 11 code or just say tow.

I'll tell ya, the commonly used 10 codes, in my experience:

10-4
10-6
10-8
10-9
10-10
10-14
10-15
10-19
10-20
10-21
10-22
10-35
10-97
10-98

Dispatchers will sometimes use 10-1 and 10-2 to tell you how you are transmitting, but we don't on our end.

[Ron-Solo]

If you know the 10 codes from 1 to 22, 35, and 97/98 you are pretty good to go. I hardly ever go past those codes except to call for a tow which is an 11 code or just say tow.

I'll tell ya, the commonly used 10 codes, in my experience:

10-4
10-6
10-8
10-9
10-10
10-14
10-15
10-19
10-20
10-21
10-22
10-35
10-97
10-98

Dispatchers will sometimes use 10-1 and 10-2 to tell you how you are transmitting, but we don't on our end.

You forgot my personal favorite.......10-33!

[Midnightblue 72]

You forgot my personal favorite.......10-33!

Noooo....10-7

[verapakill]

Don't forget Code 4, 5, 7.

[retired]

Every county has differences past 10-21 it seems. Alameda County SO and all the city depts use the same system, same as Santa Clara County SO and the city depts in that county.

OC vs LA is going to have differences.

However references to PC will be the same. A 459 call in LA is going to be the same as a 459 call in Sacramento, of course when you go to a different state it all changes.

Not wishing to be rude and not knowing how you meant the above paragraph, but I was referring to the radio codes only, not the penal codes. Obviously, with 27yrs. in le, I know the PC calls will be the same throughout the state. For example, as you said, a 459 now call will be the same throughout the state, just as a 422 now would. Then, you can throw in the H&S codes too.

I believe he should just wait and see who hires him before overloading his mind with two different systems. I do recommend learning the PC and more common H&S codes prior to starting just to give him a leg up. Know the elements of the crime OP as you will be asked to recite them by the D.I.s.

[Cokebottle]

And FEMA is trying to eliminate the codes completely.

Had our emergency response online "class" last year (I think I have to retake the stupid thing every 3 or 4 years) and half of the class was about organizational command structure and the IC, and the other half was about clear communications understandable by all persons employed by the city.

[Notorious]

You forgot my personal favorite.......10-33!

No way, 10-33 means work!

Noooo....10-7

I love that one too but we don't use it on the air, only on the log at the end of the shift.

P.S. Does anyone here use 10-35 for another purpose aside from the official definition?

[verapakill]

Having a 35 will always get you in trouble lol