In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-32 means "Dead Body" or "Officer Involved". It is used to report the discovery of a deceased person or to indicate an incident involving a law enforcement officer, allowing dispatch and units to respond appropriately with necessary resources.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Officer: "Dispatch, 10-32 at 300 Oak Street, unattended deceased person."
- Dispatch: "10-4, units responding. Secure the scene."
In this exchange, the officer communicates the presence of a deceased individual. Using 10-32 ensures that dispatch can deploy appropriate units, such as medical examiners, crime scene investigators, or backup officers, while maintaining situational awareness for officer safety.
Operational Purpose
10-32 is crucial for coordinating emergency response, securing scenes, and initiating proper investigative procedures. Prompt reporting allows dispatch to notify specialized personnel, log the incident accurately, and ensure all safety protocols are followed.
This code is also used in situations where an officer is involved in a critical incident, such as a line-of-duty injury or fatality, allowing for immediate coordination, response, and communication with command staff.
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring a 10-32 ensures that all responding units are aware of potential hazards and the need for additional resources. Units may temporarily report 10-6 (busy) while handling the scene and acknowledge updates using 10-4 (acknowledgment). Accurate location reporting via 10-20 is essential to coordinate responders efficiently.
Variations And Agency Practices
Agencies may use 10-32 specifically for deceased persons found in public or private areas, while others also apply it to officer-involved incidents requiring investigation. Local protocols often define the level of detail, notifications, and follow-up actions required after a 10-32 declaration.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-32 with phrases such as:
- "Unattended deceased person."
- "Officer-involved incident."
- "Report dead body at location."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-32 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-20 (location), 10-23 (arrived on scene/standby), 10-31 (crime in progress/reported), and 10-6 (busy). Together, these codes help ensure safe, coordinated, and effective response to sensitive or high-risk situations.