Police Phonetic Alphabet G: What it Means, Example and Usage

Here’s what Police Phonetic Alphabet G means:

Police Phonetic Letter	Full Form	When to Use	Example in Action
G	George	Used by U.S. police for clear radio calls	“Unit George-4 en route to Main & 5th.”
G	Golf	Used in NATO and international emergency services	“Rescue Team Golf holding at 2,000 feet.”

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What Does Police Phonetic Alphabet G Stand For?

The police letter G stands for:

• Golf (used by NATO and global emergency services)
• George (used by U.S. law enforcement)

When Is Police Letter G Used in Communication?

Police officers use the letter G in these scenarios:

• License plate checks: “Plate number George-Delta-314.”
• Unit identifiers: “This is Car George-5, moving to the scene.”
• Location clarifications: “Suspect seen near Gate G—Golf Entrance.”
• Report entries: “Evidence logged in Section G, George folder.”

Example of Police Alphabet G in Action (U.S. – ‘George’)

Officer 1: “Dispatch, Unit George-4 en route to the robbery at Main and 5th.”

Dispatch: “Copy, George-4. Backup is on the way.”

Example of Police Alphabet G in Action (International – ‘Golf’)

Control Tower: “Rescue Team Golf, ascend to 2,000 feet and hold position.”

Rescue Team Golf: “Holding at 2,000 feet, over.”

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Why Do Police Use ‘George’ Instead of Just ‘G’?

Because saying just “G” can be heard as “P” or “V” over crackly radios.

What’s the Difference Between Golf and George in Police Phonetic?

The main difference is in the usage of system and location.

• “George” belongs to the APCO radiotelephony spelling alphabet, preferred by U.S. police departments.
• “Golf” is part of the NATO phonetic alphabet, used worldwide in military, aviation, and emergency services.

So, if a dispatcher in Berlin says “Golf-3,” they’re using NATO code. In New York, “George-3” refers to a police unit.

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