In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-60 means "Aircraft in Area" or "Air Support". It is used to report the presence of helicopters, drones, or other aircraft in a jurisdiction, or to request air support for surveillance, search and rescue, or law enforcement operations.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Officer: "Dispatch, 10-60 over downtown, requesting air support for suspect search."
- Dispatch: "10-4, air unit en route, coordinate ground units for perimeter."
In this exchange, the officer reports an active or requested aerial presence. Using 10-60 ensures that dispatch and nearby units are aware of air support, allowing for coordinated operations, improved situational awareness, and enhanced safety.
Operational Purpose
10-60 is crucial for coordinating aerial and ground operations. Air support can provide real-time surveillance, track suspects, assist in search and rescue, and monitor traffic or large-scale events. Timely reporting ensures that both air and ground units operate efficiently and safely.
Common uses include suspect pursuits, missing person searches, crowd monitoring during public events, traffic oversight, or aerial observation of hazardous situations.
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring 10-60 ensures that officers and dispatch maintain situational awareness and communicate effectively. Units may report location using 10-20, acknowledge instructions with 10-4, or indicate temporary unavailability with 10-6. Coordinated communication reduces risk and maximizes operational effectiveness during aerial support missions.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies use 10-60 exclusively for law enforcement aircraft, while others include drones or civilian aircraft in emergencies. Local protocols may define the type of air support, communication channels, and coordination procedures with ground units.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-60 with phrases such as:
- "Aircraft in area."
- "Air support requested."
- "Helicopter/drones on scene."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-60 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-20 (location), 10-23 (arrived on scene/standby), 10-50 (accident/crash report), and 10-58 (direct traffic/control hazard). Together, these codes support coordinated, safe, and effective aerial and ground operations.