In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-56 means "Intoxicated Pedestrian" or "Drunk Person on Street". It is used to report a person who is impaired by alcohol or drugs and is wandering, loitering, or posing a hazard on sidewalks, roadways, or public areas, enabling officers and dispatch to manage public safety effectively.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Officer: "Dispatch, 10-56 at Main Street and 3rd Avenue, individual stumbling into traffic."
- Dispatch: "10-4, unit 12, additional units advised, maintain scene safety."
In this exchange, the officer reports a person whose impairment could create hazards for themselves, drivers, or pedestrians. Using 10-56 ensures that dispatch can notify nearby units, request backup if needed, and coordinate assistance.
Operational Purpose
10-56 is important for preventing accidents, protecting the public, and addressing safety concerns related to impaired individuals. Timely reporting allows officers to intervene safely, remove the person from hazardous areas, and provide or request assistance such as transport to a medical facility or holding location.
This code is commonly used for intoxicated pedestrians wandering into streets, blocking sidewalks, creating disturbances, or displaying behavior that poses a risk to themselves or others.
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring 10-56 ensures officers maintain situational awareness and coordinate actions with dispatch and other units. Officers may report location using 10-20, acknowledge instructions with 10-4, or indicate temporary unavailability with 10-6 while securing the individual. Clear communication reduces risk to both responders and the public.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies use 10-56 for all impaired pedestrians, while others limit it to situations where the person is actively creating a traffic or public safety hazard. Local procedures may define required observations, intervention methods, and documentation for reporting and follow-up.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-56 with phrases such as:
- "Impaired pedestrian."
- "Drunk individual in public."
- "Hazardous person on roadway or sidewalk."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-56 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-20 (location), 10-55 (intoxicated driver), 10-50 (accident/crash report), and 10-23 (arrived on scene/standby). Together, these codes support coordinated, safe, and effective response to impaired individuals and traffic hazards.