In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-17 means "Meet Complainant" or "Pick Up Papers". It is used to indicate that an officer is meeting with a reporting party or retrieving documents related to an incident, report, or investigation.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Dispatch: "Unit 27, complainant is available at the front desk."
- Officer: "10-17, en route."
In this exchange, the officer is advising dispatch that they are proceeding to meet the complainant or collect necessary paperwork. The use of 10-17 communicates a non-emergency task that still requires tracking and accountability.
Operational Purpose
10-17 is commonly used during the administrative or investigative phase of an incident. Unlike emergency response codes, it signals routine but essential duties such as gathering statements, collecting evidence documentation, or receiving forms required for case processing.
Dispatch uses 10-17 status to monitor unit availability while ensuring follow-up actions are completed efficiently.
Workflow And Documentation
Meeting a complainant or picking up paperwork often represents the transition from active response to case documentation. Officers may use 10-17 after clearing a call or when assigned follow-up duties. During this time, officers may advise 10-6 (busy) to limit interruptions while completing interviews or reviewing documents.
Once the task is completed, officers typically return to service using 10-8 (in service) or advise 10-7 (out of service) if additional administrative time is required.
Variations And Agency Interpretation
The meaning of 10-17 can vary by agency. Some departments use it strictly for meeting complainants, while others apply it more broadly to include collecting reports, warrants, citations, or court-related paperwork.
Because of these differences, 10-17 is often supplemented with brief plain-language clarification to ensure dispatch and supervisors understand the specific task being performed.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies that prefer plain-language communication may replace 10-17 with phrases such as:
- "Meeting the complainant."
- "Picking up paperwork."
- "Completing follow-up documentation."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-17 include 10-6 (busy), 10-8 (in service), 10-7 (out of service), 10-14 (information), and 10-20 (location). Together, these codes support clear tracking of investigative and administrative activities.