You’re sitting in the virtual cruiser, the rain is hitting the windshield in Emergency Response: Liberty County, and suddenly the radio chirps. "10-71 in progress, Northland and Main." If you just sat there staring at the steering wheel because you have no idea what a 10-71 is, you aren't alone. Most people jumping into these games—whether it’s Flashing Lights, LSPDFR, or Roblox roleplay servers—think they can just wing it with plain English. You can, sure. But if you want to stay in those high-end, "serious RP" servers without getting kicked or looking like a total rookie, you’ve gotta learn the shorthand.
The thing about dispatch police simulator codes is that they aren't just random numbers some developer made up. They are mostly based on the real-world APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials) standards or the California Highway Patrol’s specific 11-code system. If you use them right, the game changes. Communication becomes fast. It becomes sharp.
Why We Use These Codes Anyway
Efficiency. That’s the short answer. In a high-speed chase in Need for Speed Unbound or a tactical stack-up in Ready or Not, you don't have time to type or say, "Hey everyone, I am currently finished with my lunch break and I am now available to take new calls from the dispatcher."
By the time you finish that sentence, the suspect is three counties away.
Instead, you just hit the mic and say, "10-8."
Two syllables. Done.
But here’s the kicker: not every game uses the same list. A "10-50" in one simulator might mean a vehicle accident, while in a different niche community, players might use it to signal something else entirely. It's kinda chaotic if you don't do your homework before joining a specific server.
The "Ten" Codes You'll Use Every Five Minutes
Most police sims lean heavily on the 10-code system. It's the bread and butter of radio traffic. If you memorize nothing else, memorize these four. They are the backbone of your virtual shift.
10-4 is the one everyone knows. It means "ok" or "message received." It’s basically the "thumbs up" of the radio world. Don't overthink it.
Then there’s 10-7. This means you are out of service. You’re done. Maybe you’re logging off, or maybe your car just exploded because you hit a curb at 90mph. Either way, you aren't responding to calls.
On the flip side, 10-8 is your best friend. It means you are in service and available. When you first spawn in and get your gear, you announce 10-8. It tells the dispatcher (if the server has a human one) that you’re ready to work.
10-20 is the one you’ll hear the most. "What’s your 10-20?" It just means "location." Instead of saying "I'm near the gas station," you'd say "My 10-20 is the Shell on 5th." It sounds cooler. It is cooler.
When Things Go Sideways: The 11-Codes and Beyond
While 10-codes are general, 11-codes (mostly popularized by California agencies) are often used for traffic and specific emergencies in games like LSPDFR.
If you see a 11-80, it’s bad. That’s an accident with major injuries.
An 11-85 means you need a tow truck. You'll use this a lot because, let's be honest, the AI driving in most simulators is absolutely atrocious. They will ram you. You will need a tow.
- 10-13: Officer needs medics. Use this when a gunfight goes south.
- 10-31: Crime in progress.
- 10-99: Wanted suspect or stolen vehicle. This is the "jackpot" code.
- Code 3: This isn't a 10-code, but it’s vital. It means "lights and sirens." If dispatch tells you to respond Code 3, stop waiting at red lights.
Honestly, the nuance between a 10-16 (Domestic Disturbance) and a 10-10 (Fight in Progress) can feel small, but in a high-stakes roleplay environment, that distinction tells your backup exactly what kind of energy to bring when they arrive.
The Secret Language of Penal Codes
If you really want to flex your knowledge, you start dropping penal codes. These are the numbers used to describe the actual law being broken. Most of these come from the California Penal Code because, for some reason, that’s the "gold standard" for gaming communities.
211 is robbery.
488 is petty theft.
459 is a burglary.
Think about the difference. A 211 means someone used force or fear—they probably have a gun. A 459 means they broke into a building while no one was looking. If you call out a "possible 211" over the radio, every other player on the server is going to perk up and start driving your way. It signals a high-intensity situation.
Don't Be "That" Guy: Radio Etiquette 101
Here is a mistake I see constantly. New players get the code list, they feel powerful, and they start screaming codes into the mic like they're in an action movie.
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Relax.
Real radio traffic is calm. It’s almost bored. Even when a player is in a high-speed pursuit, the goal is clarity.
"Dispatch, Adam-12, I’m 10-80 on a black Sultan, Northbound on Great Ocean Highway, passing the pier. 10-11 is speeding. Requesting additional units and Air Support."
Notice how I mixed plain English with codes? That’s the pro way. Using nothing but codes makes you sound like a robot. Using no codes makes you sound like a civilian. The sweet spot is right in the middle.
Also, "Clear the air." If someone is in a pursuit (a 10-80), stop talking about your 10-7 lunch break. The radio belongs to the officer in danger.
Learning the "Phonetic Alphabet"
You can't talk about dispatch police simulator codes without the NATO phonetic alphabet. When you’re calling in a license plate, you don't say "B-D-R-5-9." You say "Bravo-Delta-Romeo-5-9."
Why? Because "B" sounds like "D," "P," "T," and "V" over a scratchy radio or a cheap Discord mic.
If you tell dispatch the suspect's plate is "Victor-Alpha-Niner," there is zero confusion. Yes, we say "Niner" instead of "Nine." It sounds a bit extra, but it prevents people from confusing "Nine" with "Five."
The Reality of Different Games
Every game community has its own "flavor" of codes.
In FiveM (Grand Theft Auto V mod), servers often have a custom PDF guide you have to read before you’re even allowed to join the police force. They might use "Signal" codes. "Signal 100" usually means "Hold all radio traffic except for emergencies."
In Roblox games like Emergency Response: Liberty County (ER:LC), the system is a bit more simplified to accommodate younger players, but the 10-codes stay largely the same.
Then you have Police Simulator: Patrol Officers. This game actually builds the codes into the UI. You don't necessarily have to memorize them to play, but knowing them helps you navigate the menus faster. You’ll see "10-16" pop up for a noise complaint, and if you already know what that is, you’re already turning your wheel toward the call before the text even finishes scrolling.
How to Memorize Them Fast
Don't try to learn 100 codes in one night. You’ll fail.
Start with the "Status" codes: 10-4, 10-7, 10-8, and 10-20. Get those into your muscle memory.
Then, learn the "Action" codes: 10-11 (Traffic stop), 10-80 (Pursuit), and 10-13 (Officer needs help).
The rest you can keep on a "cheat sheet" on your second monitor or a piece of paper on your desk. Eventually, you’ll stop looking at the paper. It’s like learning a new language—immersion is the only way it sticks.
Common Misconceptions and Errors
A huge mistake people make is thinking that codes are universal. They aren't. In the real world, the NYPD doesn't use the same codes as the LAPD. In the gaming world, "Project: Homecoming" might use different codes than "Department of Justice RP."
Always check the "Discord" or the "Rules" section of the server you are in.
Another misconception? Thinking that codes make you a better player. They don't. Good driving, good aim, and actual tactical knowledge make you a better player. The codes are just the wrapper. They make the experience feel authentic. If you can call out a 10-80 perfectly but then you crash into a tree three seconds later, the codes aren't going to save your reputation.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Shift
If you’re ready to stop being a "civilian" and start acting like a veteran officer, do this:
- Print a Cheat Sheet: Don't rely on your memory yet. Have a 10-code and 11-code list visible at all times.
- Listen First: When you join a new server, just sit in your car for five minutes and listen to the radio. See which codes the regulars are using.
- Use the Phonetic Alphabet: Start calling out plates and names using Alpha, Bravo, Charlie. It’s the easiest way to immediately sound more professional.
- Keep it Brief: The whole point of dispatch police simulator codes is to be fast. If your radio transmission is longer than 10 seconds, you’re talking too much.
- Practice in Single Player: If you play LSPDFR, use the codes out loud while you play alone. It feels silly, but it builds that "brain-to-mouth" connection you need for multiplayer.
The jump from "guy playing a game" to "patrol officer" happens the moment you stop saying "I'm chasing a red car" and start saying "Adam-12, I'm 10-80 on a red Buffalo, southbound on Power St."
It’s a small change, but it’s the difference between playing a game and living a simulation.
Check your server's specific handbook today. Most of them have a "Training" or "Library" channel. Download that PDF, find the "Radio Codes" section, and start with the 10-series. You’ll be leading the pursuit in no time.