187 Police Code
187 Police Code details, meaning for the police force is Homicide (Murder).
The 187 Police Code is one of the most well-known and frequently referenced codes in police and law enforcement communication. In official police terminology, Code 187 specifically refers to Homicide or Murder. The origin of this code comes from California Penal Code Section 187, which defines murder as the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought.
The 187 code is used by law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and first responders when reporting or responding to a suspected or confirmed case of homicide. This shorthand communication helps officers quickly and clearly relay the nature of the situation over the radio or in official reports without publicly revealing graphic details. Due to its serious nature, any mention of “187” typically triggers a full investigation, crime scene response, and often draws major law enforcement resources to the scene.
On this page, we provide free, accurate, and up-to-date information about the 187 Police Code, including its definition, legal background, usage by police departments across the United States, and related procedural information. Whether you’re a civilian interested in police scanner lingo, a student studying criminal justice, or simply curious about what “187” means when heard in a movie or news report, you’ll find all the essential details here.
The 187 Police Code is one of the most recognized and serious codes used in law enforcement communication, both within the United States and in various international jurisdictions. While there are hundreds of police codes in daily use by officers, dispatchers, and first responders, Code 187 stands out due to its critical association with homicide or murder. If you’ve ever tuned into a police scanner, watched crime-based television dramas, or listened to real-time law enforcement radio traffic, there’s a good chance you’ve come across the term “187.” It has even entered popular culture through films, music, and TV shows, further amplifying its recognition.
The 187 code is typically articulated with extreme care by police officers or dispatch personnel. It is often pronounced digit by digit—“one-eight-seven”—rather than as a whole number, to ensure clarity when transmitted over radio frequencies. Radio interference, background noise, or overlapping chatter can easily distort messages, and precision is essential in law enforcement communication. By stating police codes like 187 digit by digit, officers minimize the risk of miscommunication in situations where time and accuracy are critical, especially during active or life-threatening investigations.
The origin of Police Code 187 and many others can be traced back to the late 1930s. Between the years 1937 and 1940, law enforcement agencies across the U.S. began adopting numeric radio codes to streamline communication, reduce airtime, and improve coordination among departments. These codes helped standardize short, clear messages that officers could quickly say and easily understand. The push toward universal adoption continued over the decades.
In 1974, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) played a key role in formalizing and expanding police codes to create consistency among jurisdictions. APCO’s efforts allowed dispatchers and officers from different departments and regions to understand each other, especially during mutual aid responses or national emergencies. This standardization significantly reduced confusion and enhanced efficiency in radio communications, further solidifying codes like 187 as industry standards in police radio traffic.
Police officers rely heavily on radio communication to perform their duties efficiently and respond to incidents quickly and effectively. This communication is usually conducted between the officer on the scene and the dispatch center, which is staffed by trained personnel responsible for directing units to various situations. One of the most crucial tools used in this process is a standardized system of police codes, such as the widely known 187 Police Code, which signifies Homicide (Murder).
The use of codes like Code 187 ensures that police communication is both concise and precise. Instead of using full phrases or descriptions that could be misunderstood or misheard during radio transmission, officers use numeric codes to convey complex situations in a matter of seconds. When an officer calls in a “187,” dispatch immediately knows the situation involves a suspected homicide, triggering an appropriate and urgent response that might include sending detectives, patrol units, and crime scene investigators. These codes help establish order and public safety more efficiently than verbal explanations, especially in high-pressure or emergency scenarios.
Police codes, including the 187 Police Code, are not limited to communication between an officer and the dispatcher. These codes also play a vital role in coordinating law enforcement activity across different roles and agencies, such as with fellow police officers in the field, detectives, sheriff’s departments, emergency responders, local jails, and correctional facilities. For example, when a homicide suspect is apprehended, the arresting officer might communicate with a jail intake unit using the same numeric code—”187 suspect in custody”—which alerts them to prepare for a serious felony intake.
Using a shared set of codes reduces the risk of miscommunication between different units and agencies, which is critical when dealing with fast-moving or dangerous incidents. Furthermore, these codes are designed to be universally understood within law enforcement, providing a common language for cooperation during joint operations, multi-agency investigations, or large-scale emergency responses.
By understanding codes like 187 and their significance in real-world policing, the general public can gain a deeper appreciation of how law enforcement maintains order, public safety, and operational efficiency. If you’ve ever listened to a police scanner or watched a real-time ride-along program, you’ve likely heard these codes in action—even if you didn’t fully understand them at the time.
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What is 187 Police Code?
The 187 Police Code is one of the most serious and widely recognized police codes used in law enforcement communication across the United States. Specifically, 187 refers to Homicide, or Murder, and is used by police officers, dispatchers, and emergency responders to indicate a situation involving the unlawful killing of a person.
This police code originates from California Penal Code Section 187, which legally defines murder as “the unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus, with malice aforethought.” Over time, “187” became shorthand in radio dispatch systems for homicide-related calls, and due to its adoption by various police departments, it is now widely recognized not just in California, but also throughout the country and in popular culture.
When officers say “Code 187” or simply “187” over the radio, they are alerting dispatch and other law enforcement personnel that they are responding to or are involved in a murder investigation or incident. This term is often transmitted with urgency and accuracy, digit by digit (“one-eight-seven”) to ensure the message is clearly received without distortion, especially in high-stress or fast-moving situations.
The use of 187 Police Code allows officers to communicate quickly, clearly, and professionally without disclosing sensitive details to the public or anyone listening in on police radio frequencies. In addition to being a critical part of internal law enforcement communication, this code has also entered mainstream awareness through its frequent mention in police dramas, crime thrillers, rap lyrics, and news reports, further cementing its association with homicide cases.
13 Secret Tricks Every Police Officer Uses
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Watch the full video now and discover the 13 law enforcement tricks used worldwide by police officers in every situation—from traffic stops to undercover surveillance, crowd control, suspect questioning, and more:
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