In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-47 means "Emergency / Traffic Stop" or "Investigation in Progress". It is used when an officer initiates a traffic stop, responds to a suspicious situation, or begins an investigative action requiring dispatch awareness and coordination.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Officer: "Dispatch, 10-47, initiating traffic stop on vehicle heading eastbound on Main Street."
- Dispatch: "10-4, unit 14, all nearby units advised of 10-47 in progress."
In this exchange, the officer communicates that a traffic stop or investigation is underway. Using 10-47 ensures dispatch can alert other units, maintain situational awareness, and provide support if needed, while tracking the activity for accountability.
Operational Purpose
10-47 is essential for maintaining officer safety, coordinating resources, and documenting investigative actions. Reporting a traffic stop or investigation allows dispatch to monitor progress, reroute units if necessary, and ensure that the stop is conducted safely and according to protocol.
This code is commonly used for routine traffic stops, investigative checks, or situations where an officer requires other units to be aware of their activity without indicating an immediate emergency.
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring 10-47 helps ensure that officers remain visible to dispatch and other units, and that backup can be provided if the situation escalates. Officers may acknowledge communications with 10-4, update location with 10-20, or report temporary unavailability with 10-6 while conducting the investigation.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies apply 10-47 specifically to traffic stops, while others include field investigations or checks of suspicious activity. Local procedures may define when the code is required, whether additional units must be notified, and what type of follow-up documentation is necessary.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-47 with phrases such as:
- "Traffic stop in progress."
- "Investigative action underway."
- "Officer initiating field check."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-47 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-20 (location), 10-6 (busy), 10-23 (arrived on scene/standby), and 10-48 (traffic light / control). Together, these codes help maintain coordinated, safe, and accountable investigative operations.