In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-37 means "Suspicious Vehicle" or "Suspicious Activity". It is used to report vehicles, persons, or situations that appear unusual, out of place, or potentially linked to criminal activity, allowing dispatch and units to assess the situation and respond appropriately.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Officer: "Dispatch, 10-37, black SUV parked near the closed bank at 2nd and Pine. No one visible inside."
- Dispatch: "10-4, unit 12, maintain observation and report any movement."
In this exchange, the officer reports a potentially suspicious vehicle. Using 10-37 allows dispatch to alert other units, coordinate surveillance or investigation, and ensure officers remain vigilant.
Operational Purpose
10-37 is crucial for proactive policing and situational awareness. Reporting suspicious vehicles or activity helps prevent crime, supports investigations, and provides early warning to responding units. It also enables officers to document unusual occurrences for future reference.
This code is often used in conjunction with follow-up checks, such as 10-27 (check identification) or 10-28 (vehicle registration check), to determine whether the vehicle or persons involved are associated with criminal activity or alerts in law enforcement databases.
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring a 10-37 ensures that all units are aware of potential risks in the area. Officers may temporarily report 10-6 (busy) while monitoring the situation and acknowledge instructions with 10-4 (acknowledgment). Maintaining visual contact, updating locations via 10-20, and communicating suspicious behavior is critical for both safety and operational efficiency.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies limit 10-37 to vehicles, while others extend it to include persons or unusual activity near a specific location. Local procedures may define how to document observations, what information to provide during the report, and whether immediate action or surveillance is required.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-37 with phrases such as:
- "Suspicious vehicle observed."
- "Unusual activity detected."
- "Monitor potentially suspicious situation."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-37 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-6 (busy), 10-20 (location), 10-27 (check identification), and 10-28 (vehicle registration check). Together, these codes help ensure proactive monitoring, safety, and coordinated response.