In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-6 means "Busy" or "Out of Service". It is used to indicate that a unit or officer is currently occupied and unavailable for additional assignments or communications.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Dispatch: "Unit 12, are you available for a call at Elm Street?"
- Officer: "10-6, currently handling another incident."
In this exchange, the officer is informing dispatch that they are busy (10-6) and cannot take new assignments until their current task is complete. This helps prevent miscommunication and ensures calls are directed to available units.
Historical Background
The designation of 10-6 originated from the early APCO 10-code system, which was designed to convey status and operational availability efficiently over radio channels. Before modern dispatch software and tracking systems, using a numeric code like 10-6 allowed units to quickly communicate availability without tying up the channel with lengthy explanations.
This was especially important in busy urban areas or during emergencies when multiple units were operating simultaneously, and radio clarity was essential for operational safety.
Operational Usage
In practice, 10-6 is used by officers, supervisors, and dispatchers to indicate that a unit is currently committed to an assignment or otherwise unavailable. The code can apply to both short-term tasks and longer operational engagements.
Typical scenarios include:
- Responding to a call that requires extended attention
- Handling an ongoing investigation or traffic stop
- Providing backup at a scene
- Unavailable due to administrative duties or equipment issues
Once a unit is free, they generally update their status using 10-7 (out of service) or 10-8 (in service) depending on agency protocol.
Variations And Regional Interpretation
While 10-6 is widely understood to mean "busy," some agencies interpret it slightly differently, such as indicating temporary unavailability versus full assignment commitment. Certain jurisdictions may also prefer plain-language alternatives or different status codes to convey similar information.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies that use plain-language communication may replace 10-6 with phrases such as:
- "Currently busy."
- "Occupied with another assignment."
- "Unit not available."
These alternatives help ensure clarity across multi-agency operations where not all personnel are familiar with numeric codes.
Modern Relevance
Even with modern computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems and GPS tracking, 10-6 remains a useful shorthand for radio communication. Its brevity allows officers to quickly indicate unavailability without overloading the channel, particularly during high-volume or emergency operations.
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-6 include 10-7 (out of service), 10-8 (in service), 10-4 (acknowledgment), and 10-5 (relay message). Together, these codes provide a standardized method for managing unit availability and operational status.