In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-98 means "Assignment Completed", "Situation Resolved", or "Clear Scene". It is used by officers, dispatchers, or responding units to indicate that a task, call, or incident has been successfully handled and that the scene is secure or no longer requires active response.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Officer: "Dispatch, unit 6, 10-98 at 500 Pine Street, situation resolved, all parties safe."
- Dispatch: "10-4, unit 6 noted, returning to regular patrol."
In this exchange, the officer communicates that the assignment has been completed and the scene is cleared. Using 10-98 ensures dispatch is updated, enabling efficient resource management and confirming closure of the incident.
Operational Purpose
10-98 is essential for confirming that a response has been successfully completed. Timely reporting of a cleared or resolved situation allows dispatch to reallocate resources, update incident logs, and maintain accurate operational awareness across units.
This code is commonly used in situations such as:
- Completion of a traffic stop, investigation, or patrol assignment
- Resolution of traffic accidents, alarms, or mechanical issues
- Clearing of scenes following enforcement or emergency response
- Confirming closure of an incident that required multiple units
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring 10-98 ensures dispatch and other units are aware that the scene is secure and no further immediate response is required. Units may acknowledge the completion with 10-4, report location using 10-20, or coordinate with additional units with 10-74 if follow-up is needed.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies use 10-98 to indicate formal clearance of a scene, while others use it to signal completion of a specific task. Local procedures may define documentation requirements, reporting standards, and conditions for declaring an assignment resolved.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-98 with phrases such as:
- "Assignment completed, scene clear."
- "Situation resolved, units returning to patrol."
- "Incident closed, no further action required."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-98 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-23 (arrived on scene/standby), 10-74 (assist/backup requested), and 10-95 (traffic accident). Together, these codes ensure coordinated, safe, and efficient closure of incidents and assignments.