Police Code 48
Police Code 48 details, meaning for the police force is Detaining Suspect, Expedite (10 48 Police Code).
Police Code 48 is used by police officers and law enforcement agencies to communicate quickly and effectively over the radio. Specifically, Code 48 or 10-48 refers to “Detaining Suspect, Expedite”. This code is used when officers are holding a suspect in custody and need backup or additional assistance to arrive at the scene as soon as possible. It indicates that time is critical and the situation may escalate if support is not provided immediately.
Police codes like 10-48 are part of the standardized 10-code system that law enforcement personnel use to transmit vital information without having to speak in long, detailed sentences. These codes help reduce radio chatter and allow officers to communicate discreetly and efficiently, especially in high-pressure or emergency scenarios.
On this page, you’ll find the most accurate and up-to-date information about Police Code 48, including its official meaning, how it is used in various police departments, and how it fits into the broader system of police radio codes. Whether you’re a criminal justice student, aspiring police officer, or simply curious about police communication systems, this page is your free resource for understanding Code 48 and many other law enforcement radio codes used across the United States.
Police Code 48 is one of the many numerical radio codes used by police officers, dispatchers, and law enforcement agencies throughout the United States—and even internationally. These codes serve as a shorthand method of communication, allowing officers to relay critical information over radio channels quickly and clearly. You may have heard Police Code 48 mentioned on a police scanner, during a live police broadcast, or on one of the many crime drama TV shows aired on networks like A&E, Discovery, or CBS.
Police Code 48, also known as 10-48, translates to “Detaining Suspect, Expedite.” It is typically used when a suspect has been detained and the officer requires immediate assistance or backup. Due to the high-stakes nature of many police situations, the use of this code signals urgency, requesting a prompt response from fellow officers or specialized units.
To ensure accuracy and prevent miscommunication, officers and dispatchers often articulate this code carefully, pronouncing each number or letter individually. This deliberate method of radio transmission helps minimize errors, especially in chaotic environments or when background noise interferes with clarity. For example, you might hear it relayed as “One-Zero-Four-Eight” or “Ten-Four-Eight,” depending on the local department’s communication protocol.
The use of radio codes like Police Code 48 dates back to the late 1930s. Between 1937 and 1940, early versions of police 10-codes were developed as a means of improving the efficiency of radio communication. These codes were later expanded and standardized in 1974 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). The goal was to reduce confusion and establish a consistent communication system that could be used across agencies and jurisdictions nationwide.
Today, the 10-code system—along with its variants—is still in use by many police departments, although some agencies have transitioned to plain-language communication for greater transparency and inter-agency cooperation. Nevertheless, Police Code 48 remains a widely recognized term in law enforcement radio language, particularly in fast-paced situations where speed and clarity are critical.
Police officers rely heavily on a structured system of communication when responding to incidents, emergencies, and ongoing investigations. One of the most vital tools in this system is the use of police codes, such as Police Code 48, also referred to as 10-48. These radio codes are primarily used during communication with police dispatchers—the professionals responsible for coordinating officer response and sending appropriate units to a scene. In the case of Police Code 48, the message being transmitted is “Detaining Suspect, Expedite,” which alerts other officers and dispatch that a suspect is in custody and immediate backup or support is required at the location.
Police communication must be fast, clear, and error-free, especially during high-stakes incidents. To achieve this, officers and dispatchers use a standardized set of numeric and ten-code signals that have been in place for decades. When transmitting Police Code 48, officers often say each digit or word slowly and distinctly—such as “Ten-Four-Eight”—to ensure the message is not misunderstood, especially over noisy or interrupted radio frequencies. This careful pronunciation helps prevent errors that could delay the response or create confusion during an unfolding police operation.
Codes like Police Code 48 are not only used in communication between officers and dispatchers but also among fellow officers, detectives, SWAT teams, jail personnel, and even neighboring law enforcement agencies. These codes allow for synchronized response, improved coordination, and faster decision-making in dynamic and potentially dangerous situations. Whether it’s a foot pursuit, an arrest in progress, or detaining a high-risk suspect, a simple transmission of “10-48” instantly communicates what’s happening and what level of urgency is involved.
The use of police radio codes, including 10-48, has a long history in law enforcement. Developed between 1937 and 1940, the original police codes were designed to condense common phrases into short, standardized messages that could be easily transmitted over limited radio bandwidth. In 1974, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) expanded and refined these codes, establishing a unified system that could be adopted across jurisdictions in the United States. This allowed law enforcement officers to operate more efficiently, especially during inter-agency collaborations or large-scale emergencies.
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What is Police Code 48?
Police Code 48, also known as 10-48, is a commonly used communication code in law enforcement that signifies “Detaining Suspect, Expedite.” When officers use this code over the radio, it means they have detained a suspect and are requesting immediate assistance or backup at the scene. The term “expedite” signals urgency, indicating that the situation may escalate quickly and requires fast support from additional units or specialized officers.
This code is part of a larger system of police 10-codes, which are short numeric phrases used by law enforcement personnel to streamline communication, reduce radio traffic, and increase clarity during high-pressure incidents. Police Code 48 is typically used in interactions between officers and dispatchers, but it may also be used during inter-agency coordination with detectives, local jails, or emergency responders.
You might hear 10-48 on a police scanner, in dispatch audio, or portrayed in police procedural TV shows and documentaries. It plays an important role in field operations, especially in situations where officers must act quickly to secure a suspect while awaiting additional units to ensure public safety and officer protection.
37 Secret Police Codes No One Understands
Have you ever listened to a police scanner or heard police officers speaking in strange numerical codes and wondered what they really mean? You’re not alone. Across the country, law enforcement agencies use hundreds of police codes to quickly and discreetly communicate everything from routine traffic stops to high-risk emergencies. Many of these codes are rarely understood by the general public—and some of them cover surprisingly bizarre or unexpected situations.
In this video, “37 Secret Police Codes No One Understands,” you’ll uncover the hidden meanings behind the mysterious 10-codes, signal codes, and dispatch signals used every day by police officers, sheriffs, and emergency responders. Whether you’re a true crime enthusiast, aspiring officer, scanner listener, or just curious about how police operate behind the scenes, this guide is packed with fascinating insights that most people have never heard before.
From codes that indicate disturbances, detainments, criminal threats, medical calls, or even suspicious activity at a donut shop (yes, that’s real in some departments!), this video breaks down the most cryptic police radio codes in a way that’s easy to understand—without needing years of training.
Watch now to learn:
- What Police Code 48 (Detaining Suspect, Expedite) really means
- Why officers use 10-codes instead of plain language in high-stress scenarios
- How different departments customize their own local codes
- And how these codes keep law enforcement communication fast, secure, and effective
Watch here:
Don’t miss your chance to dive deep into the real-world tools officers use to maintain public safety and respond to danger. After watching, you’ll never hear a police call the same way again.
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