In APCO 10-codes, 10-74 refers to "Negative."
This code is used to indicate that the answer to a previous question or inquiry is negative or that something is not present or does not exist. It is often employed in communication to confirm that a request or report does not yield any results or that the situation described is not occurring.
For example, a typical exchange might go like this:
- Dispatcher: "Unit 7, do you have the suspect in sight?"
- Unit 7: "10-74, no visual contact with the suspect."
Using 10-74 helps streamline communication by providing a concise way to convey that there is no information, action, or presence related to the inquiry at hand. This clarity can be essential in high-pressure situations where time is of the essence.