What is a 10-52 Police Code? Meaning and Examples

10-52 police code simply means immediate ambulance required. Let’s talk more.

Police Code 10-52: Ambulance Needed
Meaning in General Purpose	Ambulance Needed at the scene of an emergency.
Meaning in APCO (Association of Police Communications Officers)	Dispatch Ambulance to provide medical assistance.
Meaning in Norfolk, VA	Open Door/Window (State Which) – Used to report unsecured properties that may indicate suspicious activity.
Meaning in Walnut Creek, CA	Ambulance Needed – Similar to the general purpose, this is used to request medical assistance.
When to Use in General Purpose	Use when immediate medical attention is needed due to accidents, injuries, or medical emergencies at the scene.
When to Use in APCO	Used by officers to request an ambulance for emergency situations where medical professionals are needed on-site.
When to Use in Norfolk, VA	Used when an officer encounters an unsecured door or window, raising concerns about potential break-ins or security risks.
When to Use in Walnut Creek, CA	Similar to the general purpose, used when an ambulance is required to address accidents or medical emergencies.
Example in General Purpose	Officer: “Dispatch, we have a car accident here with multiple injuries, requesting a 10-52 for ambulance assistance.” Dispatch: “Copy that, ambulance is on its way.”
Example in APCO	Officer: “Dispatch, the victim is unresponsive, requesting a 10-52 immediately.” Dispatch: “Ambulance is dispatched, ETA five minutes.”
Example in Norfolk, VA	Officer: “I’ve got a 10-52, front door is wide open at the property. Requesting backup for a potential break-in.” Dispatch: “Unit 4, backup on the way. Proceed with caution.”
Example in Walnut Creek, CA	Officer: “Dispatch, we have an injured cyclist here, requesting a 10-52 for medical assistance.” Dispatch: “Ambulance is on its way.”

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What Does 10 52 Police Code Mean?

Police Code 10-52 is used by law enforcement and emergency services to indicate that an ambulance is needed at the scene. This code can be used for various situations, ranging from accidents to medical emergencies that require immediate attention.

What Does 10-52 Police Code Mean in General Purpose?

In its general purpose, Police Code 10-52 specifically refers to situations where an ambulance is urgently required. Whether it’s due to an accident, sudden illness, or any other medical emergency, the use of 10-52 signals the need for medical professionals on-site.

For instance, if there’s a car crash and injuries are reported, an officer may radio in, saying, “We’ve got a 10-52 on Highway 5, need an ambulance immediately.” This helps ensure that paramedics are dispatched as soon as possible to attend to those in need.

When is Code 10 52 Used in General Purpose?

Police Code 10-52 is used when there’s a clear need for medical assistance at a scene. Examples include:

• Traffic accidents where one or more individuals are injured.
• Medical emergencies such as heart attacks or strokes in public places.
• Violent incidents where someone is hurt and needs immediate medical attention.

The key is urgency—when a situation is critical and requires medical intervention, this code is used to expedite the response.

Example in Action of Police Code ten 52

Officer 1: “Dispatch, we’ve got a multi-vehicle collision here with injuries.”

Dispatch: “Copy that. What’s the status of the victims?”

Officer 1: “We’ve got serious injuries on-site, requesting a 10-52 for immediate ambulance assistance.”

Dispatch: “Ambulance is on the way, stand by.”

What Does 10 52 Police Code Mean in APCO Terms?

According to the Association of Police Communications Officers (APCO), Code 10-52 is used to dispatch an ambulance. This interpretation aligns closely with the general purpose, emphasizing that a medical team needs to be sent immediately to the scene of an emergency.

When is 10-52 Code Used in APCO Context?

In APCO usage, this code might be used during situations such as:

• Public health emergencies, like a person collapsing in a crowd.
• Violence in a public area, leading to injuries that require urgent attention.

The APCO system makes it easy for communication officers to understand when an ambulance should be sent.

Example in Action of ten 52 Police Code (APCO)

Dispatch: “Unit 5, we have a report of an injured person at the park. Please respond and confirm the situation.”

Officer 2: “Copy that, Dispatch. Arrived on-site, the victim appears unconscious. Requesting a 10-52.”

Dispatch: “Ambulance is dispatched, ETA five minutes.”

What Does Police Code 10-52 Mean in Norfolk, VA?

In Norfolk, VA, Police Code 10-52 takes on a slightly different meaning. It refers to an open door or window, typically indicating a security concern rather than a medical emergency. Officers use this version of the code to report suspicious activities involving unsecured properties.

When is Code 10-52 Used in Norfolk, VA?

Code 10-52 in Norfolk would be used when an officer encounters:

• An open door or window at a residence or business, raising concerns of a possible break-in or burglary.
• Unsecured premises where there may be a need for further investigation.

This helps alert fellow officers to potential security breaches without raising an alarm for an emergency medical response.

Example in Action of Police Code 10-52 (Norfolk, VA)

Officer 3: “Dispatch, I’m at the location. The front door is wide open, requesting a 10-52 for backup.”

Dispatch: “Copy, Unit 3. Backup en route, proceed with caution.”

What Does Police 10 52 Code Mean in Walnut Creek, CA?

In Walnut Creek, CA, Police Code 10-52 maintains its general purpose meaning of requesting an ambulance. Like other regions, it’s used for accidents, medical issues, or any situation that calls for paramedics to be on the scene.

When is Code 10-52 Used in Walnut Creek, CA?

In Walnut Creek, officers will call for a 10-52 when they need immediate medical support at the scene of:

• Car accidents.
• Public incidents where someone is seriously hurt.
• Violent altercations where there are injuries.

The use of 10-52 ensures that medical teams are quickly dispatched to offer assistance.

Example in Action of Police Code 10-52 (Walnut Creek, CA)

Officer 4: “Dispatch, I’ve got an injured pedestrian. Requesting a 10-52.”

Dispatch: “Ambulance on the way, ETA three minutes.”

The Bottom Line

I hope this helps! You can also check related sets of Police ten 50 code.

• Police Code 10-51
• Police Code 10-53
• Police Code 10-54
• Code 10-55
• Police Code 10-56
• Police Code 10-57
• Code ten 58
• Police Code 10-59

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