police scanner question

[rushlink 54]

Ok. So when im listening to the police scanner, when an officer is done with something they'll say "unit# im clear" then a letter. (sam, roger, ocean, etc...)

What do these mean?

ive been paying attention to that bit for days, and cant figure it out. haha :)

ran a google search, and cant find much. haha

Oh and i'm in Weld county, Colorado (so they're using the weld county communications stuff), if that makes any difference?

Thanks!

[Revan 15]

See if this helps you any

http://www.lcpdfr.com/cops/forum/topic/1657-ten-codes/

[Bailey23 51]

Rushlink,

I'm a real world sheriff's deputy and will attempt to answer your question. Based off of the information you have provided, it appears that the letters at the end of the transmission after reporting clear would be disposition codes. An example from my agency in Florida is that when I clear a call (we'll use a traffic stop for an easy example), I have to close the call out with the disposition or "result" of the call. So when clearing a traffic stop, I would either on my laptop or over the radio state that I'm clear and report the disposition. In the case of a traffic stop, the dispositions would be: Verbal warning, Written warning, citation, etc... Each of those would be signified with a letter, which is likely what you are hearing.

It's also your lucky day because I happen to have a picture I took on my cell phone at work last week. In the image you obviously have the date and time of the call on the left side, followed by a reference number, then the type of call. Signal 72 is a 911 hang-up or misdial, 71 is a medical, 52 motorist assist, 41CS is my own initiated patrol such as checking out a school, church, or other business that we have as hot spots, and a signal 12 is a suspicious vehicle. Next column is the address of the call, followed by the priority (1= code lights/sirens, 2 is my discretion, 3 and 4 are non-code). The final column is the disposition code that I first described to you and this is likely what you are hearing at the end of the officers' transmissions. Then at the bottom it has the call details, who the call was initiated by (usually the dispatcher's name is here), etc...

That my friends is what the real CAD/MDT systems look like. Enjoy :smile:

Edited September 29, 2011 by Bailey23

[Interference 172]

Rushlink,

I'm a real world sheriff's deputy and will attempt to answer your question. Based off of the information you have provided, it appears that the letters at the end of the transmission after reporting clear would be disposition codes. An example from my agency in Florida is that when I clear a call (we'll use a traffic stop for an easy example), I have to close the call out with the disposition or "result" of the call. So when clearing a traffic stop, I would either on my laptop or over the radio state that I'm clear and report the disposition. In the case of a traffic stop, the dispositions would be: Verbal warning, Written warning, citation, etc... Each of those would be signified with a letter, which is likely what you are hearing.

It's also your lucky day because I happen to have a picture I took on my cell phone at work last week. In the image you obviously have the date and time of the call on the left side, followed by a reference number, then the type of call. Signal 72 is a 911 hang-up or misdial, 71 is a medical, 52 motorist assist, 41CS is my own initiated patrol such as checking out a school, church, or other business that we have as hot spots, and a signal 12 is a suspicious vehicle. Next column is the address of the call, followed by the priority (1= code lights/sirens, 2 is my discretion, 3 and 4 are non-code). The final column is the disposition code that I first described to you and this is likely what you are hearing at the end of the officers' transmissions. Then at the bottom it has the call details, who the call was initiated by (usually the dispatcher's name is here), etc...

That my friends is what the real CAD/MDT systems look like. Enjoy

Thanks for sharing your info officer!

[rushlink 54]

Yeah ive done a ride along with my local PD, but hadnt noticed the letters till last week :)

Thanks for your reply, it makes sense now :)

Also, where are you a sheriffs deputy in Florida? Im probably moving to St Petersburg / Tampa area in January - anywhere near your department?

[Bailey23 51]

Yeah ive done a ride along with my local PD, but hadnt noticed the letters till last week :)

Thanks for your reply, it makes sense now :)

Also, where are you a sheriffs deputy in Florida? Im probably moving to St Petersburg / Tampa area in January - anywhere near your department?

I'm in the Tampa area :smile:

[unr3al 1,124]

Had to wrangle a gator yet? :thumbsup:

[Bailey23 51]

Had to wrangle a gator yet?

No, but I responded to this last night: http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/hillsborough-deputy-shot-while-responding-to-911-call/1194720

It's unbelievable what people will do....

[mitch0913 1]

No, but I responded to this last night: http://www.tampabay....11-call/1194720

It's unbelievable what people will do....

Wow, Hard stuff Man, I Appreciate everything you do Bailey, im not from Florida, but i respect your officers and every other one alike, im 17 years old and waiting for my 18th birthday, Thats the age you have to be to apply for the RCMP, My birthdays in 2 weeks, i already have my application filled out, just waiting for the date, I cant wait to do the things you do.

[Bailey23 51]

Wow, Hard stuff Man, I Appreciate everything you do Bailey, im not from Florida, but i respect your officers and every other one alike, im 17 years old and waiting for my 18th birthday, Thats the age you have to be to apply for the RCMP, My birthdays in 2 weeks, i already have my application filled out, just waiting for the date, I cant wait to do the things you do.

Be careful what you wish for

Seriously though, I appreciate it and best of luck to you as well. It can be a very rewarding career for those who truly want to and are capable of doing the job. I recommend for anyone who is interested or seriously considering a career in law enforcement to go and immerse yourself as much as possible in the experience before applying and really getting invested in it. Many places allow ride-alongs so you can see what we really do on a day-to-day basis.

[mitch0913 1]

Be careful what you wish for

Seriously though, I appreciate it and best of luck to you as well. It can be a very rewarding career for those who truly want to and are capable of doing the job. I recommend for anyone who is interested or seriously considering a career in law enforcement to go and immerse yourself as much as possible in the experience before applying and really getting invested in it. Many places allow ride-alongs so you can see what we really do on a day-to-day basis.

I know all about it! My next stoor neighbour is a police officer, ive gona with him a few times, and my dads friend is a k9 officer in the rcmp, ive gone out with him twice, once on patrol once just at his house learning about the dogs and everything i do, i think after a few years of highway patrol i may venture into the K9 if Available to me! :)

[Sam 10,741]

I'm in the Tampa area

I've been to St Petersburg :D

Only for a day, though, and I cant really remember much except for the massive ice cream :)