In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-85 means "Subject / Person at Scene" or "Contact Made". It is used by officers, dispatchers, or investigative units to indicate that a specific individual has been located, contacted, or identified at a scene, helping ensure situational awareness and proper follow-up.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Officer: "Dispatch, unit 9, 10-85 on the suspect at 789 Maple Avenue, all parties contacted."
- Dispatch: "10-4, unit 9 noted, maintain observation and report further developments."
In this exchange, the officer communicates that contact with the individual in question has been established. Using 10-85 ensures dispatch and other units are aware that the person is on site, which is critical for coordination, safety, and documentation.
Operational Purpose
10-85 is essential for confirming the presence of individuals, managing interactions, and ensuring proper communication of status. It helps officers, dispatch, and other units maintain accurate situational awareness, supports coordinated responses, and reduces misunderstandings about who is on scene.
This code is commonly used in situations including:
- Making contact with suspects, witnesses, or victims
- Confirming the presence of persons at a scene
- Establishing a chain of communication during investigations or operations
- Providing updates to dispatch on the status of subjects
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring 10-85 ensures all units and dispatch are aware that contact has been made with relevant individuals. Units may also report location with 10-20, acknowledge instructions with 10-4, or request backup using 10-74 if the situation escalates. Accurate communication helps maintain officer safety, prevent confusion, and support effective operational decisions.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies differentiate 10-85 for suspects versus witnesses or for active versus passive contacts. Local protocols may define how updates are communicated, the level of detail required, and when further reporting is necessary.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-85 with phrases such as:
- "Contact made with subject at location."
- "Individual on scene confirmed."
- "Subject located and accounted for."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-85 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-20 (location), 10-23 (arrived on scene/standby), 10-76 (en route/responding), and 10-74 (assist/backup requested). Together, these codes support coordinated, safe, and effective scene management.