In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-7 means "Out of Service". It is used to indicate that a unit or officer is temporarily unavailable for dispatch or new assignments, often due to the end of a shift, maintenance, or other operational reasons.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Officer: "Dispatch, Unit 12 is 10-7."
- Dispatch: "Copy 10-7, Unit 12 marked out of service."
In this exchange, the officer informs dispatch that they are no longer available for new calls, allowing the dispatcher to reassign tasks to other available units and maintain operational efficiency.
Historical Background
The 10-7 code originated in the early APCO 10-code system to quickly convey the status of a unit over limited and shared radio frequencies. Before the widespread use of modern CAD (computer-aided dispatch) systems, radio shorthand like 10-7 was essential for maintaining situational awareness across multiple units.
Using a numeric code allowed officers and dispatchers to efficiently communicate operational availability without occupying the channel with long explanations, especially during periods of high call volume.
Operational Usage
In practice, 10-7 is used whenever a unit becomes temporarily or permanently unavailable for dispatch. This could include the end of a shift, scheduled breaks, vehicle maintenance, or being assigned to tasks that do not require immediate radio contact.
Typical scenarios include:
- End of patrol shift or coverage period
- Vehicle or equipment maintenance
- Administrative tasks or paperwork requiring focus away from the radio
- Temporary assignment to duties that remove the unit from service
Once the unit is ready to return to active service, the officer or dispatcher will typically update the status using 10-8 (in service).
Variations And Regional Interpretation
While 10-7 is widely recognized as "out of service," some agencies may apply it more broadly to indicate any temporary unavailability, while others differentiate between short-term breaks and full out-of-service status. Regional differences exist due to local protocols or multi-agency interoperability requirements.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies that use plain-language communication may replace 10-7 with direct statements such as:
- "Unit is out of service."
- "Unavailable for new calls."
- "Off duty / temporarily unavailable."
These alternatives help ensure clarity across multi-agency operations and avoid miscommunication when numeric codes are unfamiliar to all personnel.
Modern Relevance
Even with CAD systems and automated status tracking, 10-7 remains a useful shorthand in radio communication. It allows units to quickly and clearly indicate unavailability while conserving radio bandwidth for active communications.
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-7 include 10-6 (busy), 10-8 (in service), 10-4 (acknowledgment), and 10-0 (officer in trouble). Together, these codes provide a clear operational framework for managing unit availability and maintaining efficient radio communication.