In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-68 means "Dispatch Information" or "Message Received". It is used by officers or units to confirm that they have received information, instructions, or updates from dispatch, ensuring clear communication and reducing the risk of missed or misunderstood messages.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Dispatch: "Unit 15, 10-68, suspect description and location provided."
- Officer: "10-68, dispatch, copy all details, proceeding to location."
In this exchange, the officer confirms receipt of dispatch information. Using 10-68 ensures that both parties are aware the message was received accurately, allowing the officer to act on it promptly and dispatch to maintain situational awareness.
Operational Purpose
10-68 is essential for accurate communication in law enforcement operations. Confirming receipt of dispatch information prevents miscommunication, ensures compliance with instructions, and allows officers to respond appropriately to incidents. It is particularly useful when relaying detailed information, such as suspect descriptions, traffic alerts, or location updates.
This code is commonly used in daily radio communications, coordinated operations, traffic stops, or any scenario where timely acknowledgment of instructions is required.
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring 10-68 ensures both officers and dispatch maintain situational awareness. Units may acknowledge with 10-4, report location with 10-20, or update status using 10-6. Proper acknowledgment reduces errors, improves coordination, and enhances overall operational safety.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies use 10-68 strictly as confirmation of message receipt, while others may use it for brief updates or minor instructions that do not require full acknowledgment via 10-4. Local protocols may define the level of detail required for acknowledgment and the type of messages that require a 10-68 response.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-68 with phrases such as:
- "Message received."
- "Copy that."
- "Dispatch instructions acknowledged."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-68 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-20 (location), 10-23 (arrived on scene/standby), 10-67 (clear/available), and 10-66 (suspicious person). Together, these codes support coordinated, safe, and effective communication in law enforcement operations.