In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-31 means "Crime In Progress" or "Reported Crime". It is used to notify dispatch and other units that a criminal act is occurring, has been observed, or has just been reported, allowing officers to respond promptly and coordinate resources.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Officer: "Dispatch, 10-31 in progress at 5th and Main, possible burglary."
- Dispatch: "10-4, units responding. Advise ETA and backup needed."
In this exchange, the officer communicates that a crime is actively taking place. Using 10-31 ensures dispatch can rapidly mobilize additional units, coordinate response, and maintain situational awareness across the jurisdiction.
Operational Purpose
10-31 is critical for rapid response, officer safety, and evidence preservation. It provides immediate awareness that a criminal event is occurring, allowing dispatch to deploy units efficiently, notify specialized teams if necessary, and keep other officers updated on the evolving situation.
This code is especially important in emergencies such as burglaries, robberies, assaults, or other in-progress crimes, where quick action can prevent escalation, protect civilians, and secure the scene.
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring a 10-31 enables dispatch to coordinate backup, provide situational intelligence, and monitor the safety of responding officers. Units may temporarily report 10-6 (busy) while responding and acknowledge updates with 10-4 (acknowledgment). Accurate location reporting via 10-20 is essential during a 10-31 call to ensure proper unit deployment.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies may apply 10-31 exclusively to serious in-progress crimes, while others also include reported crimes that require immediate attention. Local procedures may dictate whether officers provide additional descriptive details such as suspect description, number of suspects, or specific threats when declaring a 10-31.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-31 with phrases such as:
- "Crime in progress."
- "Reported criminal activity."
- "Immediate response required."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-31 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-20 (location), 10-6 (busy), 10-23 (arrived on scene/standby), and 10-26 (detaining suspect). Together, these codes facilitate rapid, safe, and coordinated response to active criminal situations.