In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-41 means "Begin Tour" or "Start Shift". It is used to indicate that a unit is now on duty and available for assignments, enabling dispatch and other units to track operational readiness and resource availability.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Officer: "Dispatch, 10-41, beginning my shift at central precinct."
- Dispatch: "10-4, unit 12 now on duty and available."
In this exchange, the officer reports the start of their tour. Using 10-41 ensures dispatch is aware of which units are active and ready to respond to calls or assignments.
Operational Purpose
10-41 is crucial for resource management and situational awareness within a law enforcement or public safety agency. By reporting the start of a shift, units are accounted for, and dispatch can allocate tasks efficiently, ensuring adequate coverage across the jurisdiction.
This code also supports documentation for shift logs, duty records, and legal accountability, providing an accurate record of unit availability throughout operations.
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring 10-41 allows dispatch to coordinate active units safely and efficiently. Officers may acknowledge with 10-4, update locations with 10-20, or indicate temporary unavailability with 10-40 if necessary. Clear shift reporting reduces confusion and ensures all calls are assigned to available personnel.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies use 10-41 strictly to indicate the beginning of a shift, while others include it for special tours, overtime assignments, or temporary duty periods. Local procedures may define the exact timing, format, and required follow-up reporting for units beginning their tour.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-41 with phrases such as:
- "Starting shift."
- "Unit now on duty."
- "Tour of duty begun."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-41 include 10-40 (silent/no calls/out of service), 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-6 (busy), 10-20 (location), and 10-42 (end tour/shift). Together, these codes help maintain clear unit tracking, efficient dispatch, and operational readiness.