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

Here’s what Police Phonetic Alphabet K means:

Police Phonetic Letter	Full Form	When to Use	Example in Action
K	King	Used by U.S. police for clear radio calls	“Unit King-7 en route to scene.”
K	Kilo	Used by NATO and global emergency services	“Team Kilo moving into position.”

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What Does Police Phonetic Alphabet K Stand For?

The police letter K stands for:

• King (used by U.S. law enforcement)
• Kilo (used by NATO and global emergency services)

When Is Police Letter K Used in Communication?

Officers use the letter K in these situations:

• License plates: “Plate is King-Delta-507.”
• Unit callsigns: “This is Unit King-4, status check.”
• Location markers: “Move to Sector Kilo-3.”
• Case reports: “Evidence stored in Case K, King file.”

Example of Police Alphabet K in Action (U.S. – ‘King’)

Officer: “Dispatch, King-12 checking a traffic stop at 5th and Elm.”
Dispatch: “Copy, King-12. Send details when safe.”

Example of Police Alphabet K in Action (International – ‘Kilo’)

Control Center: “Search Team Kilo, proceed to Zone 7.”
Search Team Kilo: “Affirmative, en route to Zone 7.”

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Why Do Police Use ‘King’ Instead of Just ‘K’?

Because saying only K over the radio can sound like A or J when signals fade.

King removes confusion and speeds up response.

What’s the Difference Between Kilo and King?

• “Kilo” comes from the NATO phonetic alphabet, used worldwide by military, aviation, and many emergency services.
• “King” is part of the APCO spelling alphabet, preferred by U.S. police departments.

So, if a pilot says “Kilo-Bravo-Charlie,” they follow the NATO system. In Detroit, “King-Bravo-Charlie” identifies a police unit.

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