In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-62 means "Stolen Vehicle" or "Vehicle Theft Report". It is used to report a motor vehicle that has been stolen or is suspected to be stolen, enabling dispatch and law enforcement units to coordinate recovery, investigate the theft, and alert surrounding patrols.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Officer: "Dispatch, 10-62 at Pine Street and 9th, red sedan reported stolen, last seen eastbound."
- Dispatch: "10-4, units in the area advised, enter vehicle into database for recovery."
In this exchange, the officer reports a stolen vehicle. Using 10-62 ensures dispatch can alert nearby units, coordinate a search, and log the vehicle in relevant databases such as NCIC or local stolen vehicle registries.
Operational Purpose
10-62 is critical for preventing further criminal activity and assisting in timely recovery of stolen vehicles. Rapid reporting allows officers to respond quickly, gather witness information, establish perimeters, and monitor traffic cameras or other surveillance tools to locate the suspect vehicle.
This code is commonly used for vehicle theft incidents observed in real-time, reported by victims, or detected through traffic stops and surveillance.
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring 10-62 ensures officers and dispatch maintain situational awareness during the investigation or pursuit. Units may update location using 10-20, acknowledge instructions with 10-4, or indicate temporary unavailability with 10-6. Coordinated communication reduces risk during vehicle recovery operations and helps ensure public safety.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies use 10-62 strictly for confirmed stolen vehicles, while others include vehicles suspected to be stolen or unreported. Local protocols may define information required, such as license plate, make and model, color, VIN, and any suspect description.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-62 with phrases such as:
- "Stolen vehicle reported."
- "Vehicle theft in progress."
- "Suspected stolen car."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-62 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-20 (location), 10-23 (arrived on scene/standby), 10-50 (accident/crash report), and 10-51 (wrecker/tow service). Together, these codes support coordinated, safe, and effective response to vehicle theft incidents.