|
APCO International stated in 2012 that plain speech communications over public safety radio systems is preferred over the traditional 10-Codes and dispatch signals.<ref>[http://www.apcointl.org/advocacy/position-statements.html#plainspeech APCO position statement on Plain Speech in Public Safety Communications] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509005027/http://www.apcointl.org/advocacy/position-statements.html|date=2012-05-09}}</ref> Nineteen states had changed to plain English by the end of 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.policeone.com/patrol-issues/articles/1984858-Maine-police-dropping-10-code-switching-to-plain-language/|title=Maine police dropping 10-code, switching to plain language|last=Mack|first=Sharon Kiley|date=January 1, 2010|newspaper=Bangor Daily News|access-date=October 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118082538/http://www.policeone.com/patrol-issues/articles/1984858-Maine-police-dropping-10-code-switching-to-plain-language|archive-date=January 18, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> {{as of|2011}}, ten-codes remained in common use in many areas, but were increasingly being phased out in favor of plain language.<ref name="plain" />
=== Clear Speech Procedure ===
In 1971, the Public Safety Department of [[Lakewood, Colorado]], published a study comparing the APCO Ten-code with the proposed Clear Speech procedure. The study used standards for judgment of both communications procedures based on ''The Public Safety Communications Standard Operating Procedure Manual'', 1970 edition, published by APCO. According to the report, the Clear Speech Procedure was to replace ten-codes in all Public Safety Department radio communication since January 28, 1972.<ref name=":0" />
{| class="wikitable"
|+Replacement of ten-codes with the Clear Speech Procedure (Public Safety Department, Lakewood, Colorado, 1972)<ref name=":0" />
|-
!Was
(Ten-Code)
!Now
(Procedure Word)
|-
|10-0
|Use Caution
|-
|10-1
|Unable to copy – change ___location
|-
|10-3
|Stop transmitting
|-
|10-4
|Roger
|-
|10-5
|Relay
|-
|10-6
|Busy
|-
|10-7
|Out at...
|-
|10-8
|Clear
|-
|10-9
|Say again
|-
|10-12
|Stand by
|-
|10-13
|Weather report/road report
|-
|10-15
|Disturbance
|-
|10-17A
|Theft
|-
|10-17B
|Vandalism
|-
|10-17C
|Shoplifting
|-
|10-18
|Urgent
|-
|10-19
|Return to...
|-
|10-20
|Location
|-
|10-21
|Call...
|-
|10-22
|Disregard
|-
|10-23
|On scene
|-
|10-25
|Meet...or contact...
|-
|10-26
|Detaining subject, expedite
|-
|10-27
|Drivers License information on...
|-
|10-28
|Registration information on...
|-
|10-29
|Check for wanted on...
|-
|10-31A
|Burglary
|-
|10-31B
|Robbery
|-
|10-31C
|Homicide
|-
|10-31D
|Kidnapping
|-
|10-31E
|Shooting
|-
|10-38
|Traffic stop on...
|-
|10-42
|Off duty
|-
|10-44
|Request for...
|-
|10-46
|Assist motorist
|-
|10-49
|East bound green light out (etc.)
|-
|10-50
|Traffic
* K=Fatal
* PD=Property Damage
* Hit and run
* Injury
* No injury reported
* Unknown
* Private property, ___location
|-
|10-56
|Drunk pedestrian
|-
|10-63
|Prepare to copy
|-
|10-70
|Fire
|-
|10-74
|Negative
|-
|10-76
|En route...
|-
|10-77
|ETA (Estimated time of arrival)
|-
|10-78
|Request assistance
|-
|10-79
|Notify coroner (to be done by phone whenever possible)
|-
|10-80
|Chase
|-
|10-89
|Bomb threat
|-
|10-90
|Alarm (type of alarm)
|-
|10-91
|Pick up prisoner
|-
|10-92
|Parking complaint
|-
|10-95
|Prisoner in custody
|-
|10-97
|Check traffic signal
|-
|10-98
|Prison/jail break
|-
|10-99
|Wanted/stolen
|-
|
|
* ROGER{{snd}}To be used as acknowledgement.
* AFFIRMATIVE{{snd}}To be used when "yes" is needed
* HELP{{snd}}To be used when in danger and urgent assistance is needed.
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Clear Speech status codes (Public Safety Department, Lakewood, Colorado, 1972)<ref name=":0" />
|-
!Code
!Meaning
|-
|CODE ZERO
|Echo response
|-
|CODE ONE
|Informs all units to STANDBY – STOP TRANSMITTING. Do not transmit, except for emergency messages, while Code 1 is in effect. Dispatch shall announce, "Clear Code 1," when the condition is secured.
|-
|CODE TWO
|Indicates an "urgent" call short of an "emergency" situation. A Code 2 call has priority over all other police activities except "emergencies".
Proceed directly to Code 2 calls as quickly as is consistent with safety. Agents may, in exceptional cases, use their emergency equipment (both visual and audible to comply with state law) to traverse an otherwise clear intersection against a red traffic control device. Once clear of the intersection – turn off the emergency equipment.
|-
|CODE THREE
|Indicates an EMERGENCY call. Red lights and siren are authorized. Proceed as quickly as possible with due regard for safety, and in compliance with the laws governing emergency vehicles.
|-
|CODE FOUR
|Used to indicate that sufficient units have responded to a ___location, or that assistance is not needed, or is no longer needed.
|-
|CODE FIVE
|Used when Wanted/Records checks are requested by an agent to alert the agent of a wanted felon, a person known to be dangerous or a person known to be mentally unstable.
A backup unit shall be dispatched Code 2 on all Code 5's.
Personnel will NOT proceed with Code 5 details until the receiving unit requests some. The unit receiving a Code 5 will request the details when he is in a safe position to do so, which might not be until his backup arrives.
|-
|CODE SIX
|When an agent is dispatched to a traffic accident, and the dispatcher states, "Code 6," the agent will advise the drivers involved to proceed to the station to file their reports. This will only be done if there are no injuries, no unusual circumstance and the vehicles are safely operable. Driver Exchange Forms will be completed at the scene to include the C. R. number.
|-
|CODE SEVEN
|Indicates "out of service – personal."
|-
|CODE EIGHT
|Assist a fire department.
|}
=== Phrase Word Brevity Code ===
| 