APB
Government & Politics abbreviation · Police
| Stands for | All-points bulletin |
|---|---|
| Categories | Government & Politics |
APB stands for All-points bulletin, a police abbreviation.
Broadcast alert sent to every unit and often to neighboring agencies, asking officers to look for a wanted suspect, missing person or vehicle. An APB typically includes a description, the vehicle and plate, the direction of travel and whether the person is armed.
Example: Police issued an APB for a gray Honda Civic seen leaving the bank robbery on Route 9.
Usage notes
The phrase dates from the early era of police radio and teletype, when a bulletin went out to "all points" in a network. Many US agencies now prefer the term BOLO, and the public mainly knows "APB" from crime dramas. Bulletins are often entered into the FBI's NCIC database so that any officer running a plate or name nationwide gets a hit. Pronounced as letters.
Related abbreviations
More police abbreviations
- ABH – Actual bodily harm
- AFIS – Automated Fingerprint Identification System
- ALPR – Automated license plate reader
- ANPR – Automatic number plate recognition
- ASBO – Anti-social behaviour order
- ATL – Attempt to locate
- B&E – Breaking and entering
- BAC – Blood alcohol concentration
- BOLO – Be on the lookout
- BWC – Body-worn camera
- CCW – Carry concealed weapon
- CEW – Conducted electrical weapon