In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-18 means "Urgent" or "Expedite". It is used to request that a response, action, or movement be handled as quickly as possible due to time-sensitive circumstances.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Dispatch: "Unit 34, complainant reports escalating behavior."
- Officer: "10-18, en route."
In this exchange, the officer is acknowledging the need to respond rapidly. The use of 10-18 communicates urgency without declaring an emergency, allowing dispatch to prioritize resources accordingly.
Operational Significance
10-18 occupies a middle ground between routine responses and full emergency traffic. It signals that delays could negatively affect safety, evidence integrity, or incident outcomes, but does not yet warrant emergency signaling.
Dispatch may use 10-18 to reprioritize calls, adjust unit assignments, or alert supervisors to evolving conditions.
Radio Priority And Coordination
When 10-18 is in effect, dispatch often limits non-essential radio traffic to support timely response. Units may temporarily advise 10-6 (busy) while moving to the call, or request 10-3 (stop transmitting) if radio congestion becomes a concern.
Upon arrival or resolution, officers may update status using 10-4 (acknowledgment) or return to normal operations with 10-8 (in service).
Variations And Agency Use
The interpretation of 10-18 can vary between agencies. Some departments treat it as a general expedite request, while others reserve it for situations with a clear risk of escalation. Understanding local definitions is essential to avoid overuse or misprioritization.
To maintain clarity, agencies often supplement 10-18 with plain-language context describing the reason for urgency.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-18 with phrases such as:
- "Respond urgently."
- "Expedite response."
- "Time-sensitive situation."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-18 include 10-6 (busy), 10-3 (stop transmitting), 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-8 (in service), and 10-20 (location). Together, these codes help manage urgency, radio priority, and coordinated response.