Why do police use codes?

Question

The 10-9s, the Code 4s, the Signal 17s -- are they just to save time or do they not want it obvious over the air what they're talking about?

Answer 1

The codes are designed to save time, eliminate confusion, and keep civilians from knowing what is going on.  

Answer 2

Plain and simple truth: Codes are used not to confuse the general public, but for speed and accurate Law Enforcement Communication.  There is nothing secret about those transmissions.  Speed and accuracy are the primary reasons.  I hope this answers your question.  

Answer 3

It's mostly a leftover from the early days when the radios were AM and on lower frequencies, close to where CB is now. Signals could hop a long way, and there could be a lot of other departments coming in. And AM has static. You could get a code through when a sentence might be broken up. Newer systems were FM, which is static-free, and on higher frequencies which are pretty much line of sight with no skip. And modern digital systems are even better. So codes are kind of not necessary any more, but it's hard to get people to change to plain language. Anyone who listens for a while quickly figures out the code meanings. And it is very quick to indicate danger or a gun with a 10-code, and the code gets instant attention. And, people being not so bright, a code to indicate someone has a warrant doesn't stir them up quite as bad a saying it in plain language. So they're probably going to be around for a long time yet.  

Answer 4

It's faster and there is no question as to what they are trying to say.  They don't really care if you do or do not know what it means.  

Answer 5

Because they are agents in desguise...Isn't it funny that a police officer moves and acts like a Machine and talks all computerized...They are an agent...They use codes from the Matrix!

Answer 6

Codes are a way to express in a short language what has transpired.