10-21
Government & Politics abbreviation · Police Code
| Stands for | Call by telephone |
|---|---|
| Categories | Government & Politics |
10-21 stands for Call by telephone, a police code abbreviation.
Request for a unit to telephone dispatch or another party instead of discussing the matter on the radio, often for privacy or sensitive information.
Example: Unit 5, 10-21 the sergeant at the station when you're clear.
Usage notes
Using the phone keeps sensitive details, such as names of victims or juveniles, off scanners. Cell phones have made this request routine. Public-access scanners and online streams have pushed agencies to move more sensitive traffic off open channels.