120. RADIO TERMINOLOGY, CODES AND CRIME BROADCASTS
(Unit types and radio designations follow)

120.10 RADIO CALL LETTERS. The call letters, "KJC-625", shall be used by the Department's fixed radio stations.

120.20 USE OF RADIO CALL LETTERS

By All Radio Operators. Radio operators shall not call either a fixed station or a mobile unit by its call letters. The unit designation shall be used when addressing a fixed station.

By Controls. All controls shall broadcast the station call letters once each fifteen minutes. They need not do so at the end of each transmission.

120.30 APCO CODE WORD LIST. The following code words shall be used, when applicable, in local radio transmissions:

120.40 RADIO CODES AND PROCEDURES. The following codes and phrases shall be used, when applicable, in local radio transmissions:

Note: Strikeout text and red font indicate deletions and additions made by the Chief of Police in "Special Order No. 13," effective April 1, 2009, which made significant changes to officers' response to the concerned call types

• Officer Needs Help. This emergency call shall be broadcast when an officer requires immediate aid for a life-threatening incident or an incident that requires immediate aid because of serious bodily injury, death, or a serious threat to public safety is imminent. The officer requesting shall include the location, followed, if possible, by the unit identification and all other pertinent information. A specific unit shall be dispatched "Code Three" and other available units in the vicinity shall respond "Code Two."  and ALL additional responding units may also respond "Code-Three." An "Officer Needs Help" call shall not be broadcast when "assistance" only is needed.

  The Department will provide assistance and respond to "Officer Needs Help" calls within the City when requested by the CHP. The senior officer of the agency requesting emergency assistance shall be in charge of the incident unless the incident involves a situation which is the responsibility of the other agency, in which case the senior officer of the responsible agency will be in charge.

• Firefighter Needs Help. This emergency call shall be broadcast when immediate police assistance is required because firefighters are being attacked, attack is imminent, or other another type of emergency exists. A specific unit shall be dispatched "Code Three" and other available units in the vicinity shall  respond "Code Two." and ALL additional responding units may also respond "Code-Three."

• Officer Needs Assistance. This call shall be broadcast when additional aid is required by an officer. The officer requesting shall include the location, followed by the unit identification and all other pertinent information, including the reason for request. A specific unit shall be dispatched "Code Two" and other available units in the vicinity shall respond when practicable.
  Officer Needs Assistance Request.  The "assistance" request has been eliminated.

• Firefighter Needs Assistance. This emergency call shall be broadcast when police assistance is required due to hostile crowd action or other incident. A specific unit shall be dispatched "Code Two-Three,", and other available units in the vicinity shall respond, when practicable and ALL additional responding units may also respond "Code-Three."

• Back up Unit Request. This emergency call shall be broadcast when an additional unit is required by an officer when an officer requires additional units immediately, but the situation does not rise to the level where serious bodily injury, death or serious threat to public safety is imminent.
  
  Examples:  Active perimeter, foot pursuit, 415 group, a crime-in-progress, etc.
  
  The officer requesting shall include the location, followed by the unit identification designation and all other pertinent information, including the reason for the request. Only the specific unit dispatched shall respond. A specific unit shall be dispatched "Code-Three," and ALL additional responding units may also respond "Code-Three." The request shall be canceled when, prior to the arrival of the assigned back up unit, it is determined that an additional unit will not be needed.

• Additional Unit Request. An "Additional Unit" broadcast is when an officer requires an additional unit for a non-emergency situation. The officer requesting shall include the location, followed by the unit identification and all other pertinent information. An "additional unit" request is not an emergency call and responding officers shall obey all traffic laws when responding.
  
  Examples:  "Code-6 George" with no indication of violence toward the officers, L-Unit involved in a traffic stop, follow up for a criminal investigation, etc.

• Pursuit Procedure.  The Department pursuit procedures are revised as follows:
  
  * Officers engaged in a pursuit should request a Back-up unit; and,
  * Responding back-up units may respond "Code-Three." However, once all authorized units have joined the pursuit, all other units shall discontinue their "Code-Three" response.
  
  All other existing pursuit procedures remain the same.
  
  A unit announcing a "Pursuit" shall begin the message by stating that the unit is in "Pursuit" and giving the location, followed, if possible, by the unit identification, description of pursued vehicle, and/or suspects, direction taken, and reason for pursuit. The pursuing unit shall give frequent and comprehensive progress reports as conditions permit. Any unit having information regarding the "Pursuit" may transmit. Communications Division will broadcast advisory information concerning pursuits by the CHP within the City. Department personnel shall not become involved in CHP pursuits on the freeways unless for serious felonies committed within the City of Los Angeles.

•  Code One. When the control operator fails to receive an acknowledgment of a communication, a "Code One" shall be given. The unit to which a "Code One" is directed shall acknowledge immediately upon hearing a "Code One."

• Code Two. A radio call accompanied by a "Code Two" designation is an urgent call and shall be answered immediately. The red light and siren shall not be used, and all traffic laws shall be observed.

Note. Officers responding to a "Code Two" radio call shall only interrupt the Code Two call to perform police work of major importance.
("'Police Work of Major Importance' shall mean police activities involving the arrest, processing, and detention of felony suspects and intoxicated drivers, and activities necessary to the immediate interest of public safety and protection of life and property. Investigations shall be limited to those activities which include felonies, deaths, serious injuries, and City-property involved traffic collisions involving injuries or substantial property damage." - Department Manual § 0/030).

Officers' Responsibilities. Officers who interrupt their response to a Code-Two call due to police work of major importance or other exigent circumstances shall immediately notify Communications Division. Officers who interrupt their response to a Code-Two call for more than a brief delay to evaluate the comparative urgency of an intervening incident shall also request Communications Division to reassign the call and shall immediately notify a concerned Department supervisor. No notification is required when a Code-Two call is interrupted at the direction of either Communications Division or a Department supervisor. Officers shall document the reason for the interruption with an appropriate log entry on their Daily Field Activities Report (DFAR), Form 15.52.0 or 15.52.1.

Supervisors' Responsibilities. Concerned supervisors shall ensure that each interrupted response which resulted in reassignment of a Code-Two call is evaluated for appropriateness. In making this evaluation, the concerned supervisor should consider monitoring the divisional radio frequency, reviewing relevant log entries, responding to the scene of the interruption, or other appropriate action.

• Code Three. A radio call accompanied by a "Code Three" designation is an emergency call. It shall be answered immediately, but in a manner which will enable the unit to reach the scene as quickly as possible with safety. Exemption from provisions of the Vehicle Code (Division 11) is granted only when officers sound a siren as reasonably necessary and the officers’ vehicle displays a lighted red lamp visible from the front.

Any call may justify a "Code Three" if any of the following elements are present:

• A serious public hazard.

• The preservation of life.

• A crime of violence in progress.

• The prevention of a crime of violence.

• An immediate pursuit.

• A unit at the scene requests another unit "Code Three."

The final decision for the use of "Code Three," other than in response to a directed radio call, shall be made by the vehicle operator.

An officer shall immediately broadcast his intention to proceed "Code Three" when the decision is based on other than a directed police radio call. The "Code Three" broadcast shall include the nature and location of the activity and, when known, the starting point, route of travel, and destination.

Exception: Whenever officers activate their Code Three equipment in conjunction with mobile field tactics at the scene of a riotous incident, a "Code Three" notification to Communications Division is not required.

Note: Officers traveling to the scene of a riotous incident in a mobile field force configuration with their Code Three equipment activated shall still notify Communications Division that they are traveling Code Three.

When the "Code Three" has been terminated, the officer shall notify Communications Division as soon as practicable.

When more than one unit is "Code Three" in the same general area, they shall be notified by Communications Division that other units are "Code Three" in the vicinity.

• Code Four. When additional assistance is not needed at the scene of an "All Units" call, a "Code Four," followed by the location of the call, shall be broadcast. Radio units which are not assigned to the call and which are not at the scene shall return to their assigned patrol area when a "Code Four" is broadcast.
  

• Code Four Adam. When additional assistance is not needed at the scene of an "All Units," call but the suspect is still in the vicinity, a "Code Four Adam," followed by the location of the call, shall be broadcast. This should then be followed by a description of the suspect. Radio units which are not assigned to the call but which are on the way to the scene shall, when a "Code Four Adam" is broadcast, patrol or post themselves at strategic locations near the scene.
  

• Code Five. A unit intending to "stakeout" shall notify the control operator of the location and request a "Code Five." The control operator, upon receipt of the message, shall immediately broadcast that there is a "Code Five" at the particular location. All units shall avoid the vicinity except in an emergency or in response to a call.
  

• Clearing Code Five. When the need for a "Code Five" no longer exists, the originating unit, or the last unit to leave the scene, shall request the control operator to clear the "Code Five" at the particular location.
  

• Code Five Edward.  A "Code Five Edward" shall be used to notify Air Support Division (ASD) personnel of an explosive hazard to low-altitude aircraft.  All units shall avoid the vicinity except in an emergency or in a response to a call for service.

Officers’ Responsibilities. An officer determining that an explosive hazard exists to low-altitude aircraft shall immediately notify Communications Division of a "Code Five Edward" via telephone or radio.

Note: Radio or Mobil Digital Terminal (MDT) communications may detonate an explosive device. All radio or MDT communications should be made approximately one block (500 feet) away from the "Code Five Edward" location.

The officer shall inform Communications Division of the "Code Five Edward" location, and the area of the established perimeter (as measured in feet) around the bomb device/explosive hazard.

Note: If personnel from the Explosives Unit, Scientific Investigation Division, determine that the established perimeter is insufficient for the potential hazard rendered from a suspected explosive device, they shall immediately notify Communications Division of the expanded perimeter as measured in feet.

A "Code Five Edward" notification shall be made in addition to all the other Department requirements for investigations involving explosives (4/212.50), when the following circumstances exist:

• Incident involving an explosive device which is in an exposed (open air) area or will be moved to an exposed area;

• Incident where the Explosives Unit intends to "render-safe" any explosive item in an exposed area; and,

• Incidents involving any explosives (indoors or outdoors) where the explosion could result in blast pressures that may be hazardous to aircraft operations.

Supervisors’ Responsibilities. The concerned supervisor shall ensure that Communications Division is notified of any perimeter adjustment.  When the need for a "Code Five Edward" no longer exists, the concerned supervisor shall ensure that Communications Division is notified to clear the "Code Five Edward."

Communication Division - Responsibilities. Upon receiving notification of a "Code Five Edward," the Radio Telephone Operator (RTO) shall immediately broadcast the "Code Five Edward" notification and the location.

The Watch Commander, Communications Division, shall ensure that the Watch Commander, ASD, is notified of the "Code Five Edward" broadcast and any adjusted perimeter throughout the incident.

Watch Commander, ASD - Responsibilities. Upon notification of the "Code Five Edward" location, the Watch commander, ASD, shall ensure that deployed Department aircraft are notified of the "Code Five Edward" location and any adjusted perimeter throughout the incident.  The Watch Commander, ASD, shall further ensure that similar broadcasts are provided to media aircraft in the area.

Note:  Department pilots shall determine a safe altitude for any Department aircraft responding to a "Code Five Edward" location upon notification of any perimeter adjustment.

• Code Six. When a unit is conducting a field investigation and no assistance is anticipated, a "Code Six", followed by the location, shall be broadcast. A unit shall not go "Code Six" until it arrives at the scene of a call.

Units on "Code Six" status shall remain available for reassignment to priority calls by monitoring their radio frequencies. A unit on "Code Six" status may indicate to the dispatcher additional circumstances which will make the unit unavailable for assignment to a priority call. These circumstances may include:

• Suspect in custody;

• Primary unit at a crime scene; and/or,

• Required at a back up, assistance, or help location.

Note: The unit shall notify the dispatcher as soon as it is again available for radio calls.

• Code Six Adam. When an officer may need assistance in conducting an investigation, the officer should broadcast "Code Six Adam" with his or her location. Other radio units in the vicinity should then patrol in the general direction of the given location. Officers should not ordinarily leave their assigned districts but should deploy to an advantageous position in the event that assistance is later requested. When a unit broadcasts "Code Six Adam" and later finds that assistance will not be needed, a "Code Four" and the location shall be given without delay.
  

• Code Six Charles. When a one officer unit receives a "Code Six Charles" in answer to a request for information on a suspect, the officer shall place himself or herself in a position of advantage over the suspect while awaiting arrival of assistance. When control is obtained, the one officer unit may request and receive the want/warrant information from the Radio Telephone Operator (RTO). When a "Code Six Charles" is received by a two officer unit, the officers shall immediately place themselves in positions of advantage over the suspect. When control is obtained, the unit shall request the want/warrant information from the RTO.
  

• Code Six George. When an officer may need assistance in conducting an investigation concerning possible gang activity, the officer should broadcast "Code Six George" and the location. An available "CRASH" or gang unit should respond, while other radio units in the vicinity should then patrol in the general direction of the location given. Officers should not ordinarily leave their assigned districts but should deploy to an advantageous position in the event that assistance is later requested. When a unit broadcasts "Code Six George" and later finds that assistance will not be needed, a "Code Four" and the location shall be given without delay.
  

• Code Six Mary. When an officer may need assistance in conducting an investigation concerning possible militant activity, he/she should broadcast "Code Six Mary" with his or her location. Other radio units in the vicinity should then patrol in the general direction of the given location. Officers should not ordinarily leave their assigned districts but should deploy to an advantageous position in the event that assistance is later requested. When a unit broadcasts "Code Six Mary" and later finds that assistance will not be needed, a "Code Four" and the location shall be given without delay.
  

• Code Seven. When a unit desires to go out of service for free time, a request for "Code Seven," accompanied by the location his/her assigned vehicle will be parked, shall be transmitted to the control. The control operator shall instruct the unit to "Stand By" until it can be determined whether the request can be immediately granted. If the request cannot be granted, the control operator shall instruct the unit to "Continue Patrol." If the request is granted, the control operator shall inform the unit "OK for Seven."
  

• Code Eight. This call is broadcast for general information when a fire has been reported at a specific location where there is a high fire hazard or a threat of personal danger to firefighters from hostile groups. Units in the vicinity should respond to the call but remain on the air available for calls unless it is necessary to assist or investigate. "Code Six" shall be used when it is necessary to go off the air.
  

• Code Eight Adam. This call is broadcast when Communications Division has received notification from the Fire Department confirming an active, verified fire at a specific location and the senior officer at the scene has requested additional fire units. A specific police unit shall be assigned the call to assist with traffic or crowd control.
  

• Code Ten. This call is broadcast when a clear frequency is required to check a suspect for wants and/or warrants. When an officer desires a clear frequency to check a suspect for wants and/or warrants, he/she shall:
  

  • Determine that the frequency is not in use;

  • Identify himself/herself with his or her unit number;

  • Request "Code Ten," and state the number of suspects to be checked; and,

  • Indicate whether suspects are juveniles.

Note: A "Code Ten" designation shall not be used to request a clear frequency for crime information broadcasts or any other information, except as specified above.

• Code Twelve. An officer who responds to a "Code Thirty," "Code Thirty Adam," "Code Thirty Ringer," "Code Thirty Victor," or a 211 silent, and determines that there is no evidence of a burglary or robbery, and it appears that the false alarm was caused by equipment malfunction or subscriber error, shall broadcast "Code Twelve," the address, and firm name, if any.

Note: A "Code Twelve" shall be broadcast, in addition to any crime information, when a 211 silent alarm is used to summon the police for reasons other than a robbery.

• Code Twenty. When a traffic collision or other event being investigated is of such a spectacular nature or is sufficiently unusual that accounts of it would stimulate general public interest, the phrase "Code Twenty," accompanied by the location of the accident or event, shall be transmitted to the control.
  

• Code Thirty. This call is broadcast for general information when a silent burglar alarm has been reported by an alarm company or by an automatic tape message. Units in the vicinity should respond to the call but remain available for calls unless it is necessary to go "Code Six" for the purpose of assistance or investigation.
  

• Code Thirty Adam. This call is broadcast when a silent burglar alarm has been reported by an alarm company and the location is being monitored audibly. Units in the vicinity should respond to the call but remain available for calls unless it is necessary to go "Code Six" for the purpose of assistance or investigation.

Note: If the location appears to be secure, officers shall ascertain, via Communications, whether the alarm company is monitoring any activity within the location.

• Code Thirty Ringer. This call is broadcast when a Communications dispatcher receives information that a ringing burglar alarm has been activated. Units in the vicinity should respond to the call but remain available for calls unless it is necessary to go "Code Six" for the purpose of assistance or investigation.
  

• Code Thirty Victor. This call is broadcast when a visual verification alarm has been activated. Upon receipt of the alarm activation and the display of photographs depicting an intruder, the alarm company will notify Communications Division.  A unit shall be dispatched to respond to the call immediately. Officers responding shall only be interrupted to perform police work of major importance or to respond to a higher priority radio call.

Note: If the location appears to be secure, officers shall ascertain, via Communications, whether the alarm company is monitoring any activity within the location.

• Code Thirty Seven. Communications Division Radio Telephone Operators running want/warrant information for field personnel shall broadcast a "Code Thirty Seven" when stolen vehicle information is returned on vehicle license numbers. Field personnel shall employ appropriate defensive tactics and/or report pertinent information such as location, direction of travel, vehicle description, until control is assured.

When the suspect(s) are under the complete control of SWORN PERSONNEL or additional assistance is not required, field employees shall broadcast a "Code Four" in response to a "Code Thirty Seven."

Note: Communications Division shall continue to broadcast "Code Six Charles" in cases of vehicle license numbers connected with high risk suspects or vehicles, such as armed and dangerous, felony want or warrant. For example, if a vehicle license number is associated with a stolen vehicle used in connection with an armed robbery, a "Code Six Charles" will be broadcast, NOT "Code Thirty-Seven."

• Code Robert. When an employee needs an Urban Police Rifle (UPR) or Shotgun Slug Ammunition (SSA), the employee shall broadcast the unit designation, location, and “Code Robert-UPR” or “Code Robert-Slug.”
  

• Code Tom. When an employee needs a TASER, the employee shall broadcast the unit designation, location and "Code Tom."
  

• Code 100. This code shall be broadcast by a field unit to notify other units that a possible escape route of a suspect from a crime scene is under temporary surveillance. The term "Code 100" shall be broadcast in the following sequence: Unit identification; "Code 100;" and, the location.
  

• Radio Communication Terms:

  • AC: Aircraft crash.

  • FB: Fallen Balloon.

  • QT: Secrecy required regarding location.

  • 211: Robbery.

  • 311: Indecent exposure.

  • 390: Drunk male.

  • 390W: Drunk female.

  • 415: Disturbance.

  • 459: Burglary.

  • 484: Theft.

  • 484PS: Purse Snatching.

  • 502: Under the influence driver.

  • 507: Minor disturbance.

  • 507FC: Firecrackers.

  • 586: Illegal parking.

  • 586E: Car parked in driveway.

  • Roger: Message received; will comply.

  • Come In: You are being called.

  • Stand By: Wait until a suitable answer is determined-or do not transmit.

  • Go Ahead: Proceed with your message.

  • Repeat: Repeat your message.

  • Out: Out of service; not available for call (used when no other specific code applies and shall be followed by the reason).

  • Clear: No calls outstanding against unit; available for call.
    
    Note: When reporting on duty, units equipped with two way radios and engaged in either uniformed or plainclothes patrol shall report “Clear” and indicate the watch to which they are assigned.
    

  •  Want: Determine whether a vehicle is wanted or is to be held.

  • No Want: No want or hold on subject or vehicle of inquiry.

  • Warrant: Vehicle warrant information.

  • DMV: Information regarding vehicle registration.

  • Juvenile Check: Determine whether there is want, hold, or criminal record for juvenile subject.

  • End of Watch: Unit has completed tour of duty.

Note: When a unit goes off duty, the control operator shall be notified of the location and that the unit is "End of Watch." When a unit has worked beyond the normal tour of duty, the watch to which the unit is assigned shall also be reported.

120.41 INITIAL BROADCASTS OF CRIME DESCRIPTION. The first officers to arrive at the scene of a crime shall conduct a brief interview with the victim or witnesses. Information, when applicable, shall be transmitted in the following sequence to the communications operator, without delay:

• Type of Crime;

• Occurred           Minutes Ago;

• Location;

• Vehicle Used (or left on foot);

• Direction Taken;

• Number, Sex, Descent of Suspects;

• Outstanding Features;

• Weapon; and,

• General Type of Property taken.

120.42 SUPPLEMENTAL BROADCAST OF CRIME DESCRIPTION. As soon as practicable after the initial brief information concerning the occurrence of a crime has been relayed to a communications operator for broadcast (4/120.41), supplemental information, including a detailed description of the suspect, shall be relayed to the operator. These suspects' descriptions shall follow the sequence as outlined in the related crime report.

120.60 REPORTING OUT OF SERVICE. When it is necessary for a unit to go out of service for any reason, except in response to an assignment given to them by a control operator, the reason and the location shall be transmitted to the control operator.

Note: If practicable, a unit remaining out of service shall notify the control operator of the reason and the location (once each hour) that it is out of service. This shall be done even though the unit may be working beyond the normal tour of duty.

120.70 AVAILABILITY WHILE ON NON PRIORITY CALLS. Field units assigned non priority calls, as well as units on "Code Six" status, shall remain available for reassignment to priority calls by monitoring their radio frequencies.

Units reassigned to a priority call shall be responsible for the completion of their non priority call(s). Officers shall explain their change in status to the reporting person. Communications Division shall be notified when officers are prepared to resume the handling of their non priority call(s). Officers unable to resume the handling of their non-priority call(s) shall notify Communications Division.

If officers assigned to a non priority call determine that additional circumstances exist which preclude their reassignment to a priority call, they shall broadcast a "Code Six" indicating the circumstances.

Note: A priority call is a call for service which is of an emergency or urgent nature causing a unit to respond "Code 3" or "Code 2," respectively. Non priority calls are all other calls for routine service.

120.75 ASSIGNMENT OF PRIORITY CALLS-NO AVAILABLE UNITS. Communications Division shall handle priority calls in the following manner whenever there are no units available in the Area of occurrence:

• The call shall be broadcast for "any available unit," with the nature of the call, the address, and the code;

• If no units respond to the "any available unit" broadcast, the dispatcher shall broadcast one long electronic tone signal on the concerned Area's radio frequency. The tone signal alerts units assigned non priority calls to stand by for possible reassignment to a priority call; and,

• The dispatcher shall assign the priority call to the appropriate unit.

120.77 INCIDENTS MOTIVATED BY HATRED OR PREJUDICE. Communications Division shall dispatch a unit whenever a call for service involves any incident motivated by hatred or prejudice.

120.79 ASSIGNMENT OF UNITS TO ALARM CALLS.  Communications Division personnel who receive a call from an alarm company or private person, generated by the activation of a robbery or burglary alarm, shall:

• Determine the type of alarm being reported;

• Request the Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC) permit number from the caller; and,

• Dispatch a unit to the alarm location.

Note: If the caller was unable to provide a valid BOPC permit number, Communications Division shall notify Commission Investigation Division.

120.80 REQUESTING BICYCLE INFORMATION. When requesting information about a bicycle, the following information, when known, shall be given:

• Frame number of bicycle;

• License number;

• Expiration date of license; and,

• Make of bicycle.