In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-61 means "Intoxicated Vehicle Operator" or "DUI Arrest". It is used to report that a driver has been stopped, detained, or arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, ensuring dispatch and other units are aware of the enforcement action and can coordinate safety and documentation.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Officer: "Dispatch, 10-61 at Elm Street and 4th Avenue, suspect detained for DUI."
- Dispatch: "10-4, unit 11, backup advised, complete field report."
In this exchange, the officer communicates that a driver has been apprehended for impaired driving. Using 10-61 ensures that dispatch and nearby units are aware, allowing for proper safety measures, documentation, and follow-up investigation.
Operational Purpose
10-61 is critical for maintaining public safety and documenting law enforcement action during DUI stops. Timely reporting allows dispatch to coordinate additional units if necessary, provide officer backup, and ensure proper legal and procedural compliance.
This code is commonly used for routine traffic stops resulting in a DUI arrest, checkpoints, or incidents involving suspected impaired driving that have escalated to detention or arrest.
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring 10-61 ensures officers and dispatch maintain situational awareness. Units may update location using 10-20, acknowledge instructions with 10-4, or indicate temporary unavailability with 10-6. Coordination reduces risk to officers, ensures backup is available if needed, and keeps the scene controlled.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies use 10-61 exclusively for alcohol-related DUI arrests, while others include drug-impaired or other substance-related offenses. Local protocols may define documentation, reporting requirements, and the role of additional units such as towing services or victim assistance.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-61 with phrases such as:
- "DUI arrest."
- "Driver detained for intoxication."
- "Impaired vehicle operator apprehended."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-61 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 enforcement of impaired driving laws.