Police Phonetic Alphabet L: Meaning, Usage and Examples

Here’s what Police Phonetic Alphabet L means:

Police Phonetic Letter	Full Form	When to Use	Example in Action
L	Lincoln	Used by U.S. police for radio clarity	“Unit Lincoln-5 at 5th and Pine.”
L	Lima	Used by NATO and international services	“Team Lima securing checkpoint 3.”

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What Does Police Phonetic Alphabet L Stand For?

The police letter L stands for:

• Lima (used by NATO and global emergency services)
• Lincoln (used by U.S. police agencies)

When Is Police Letter L Used in Communication?

Police officers use the letter L in these scenarios:

• License plates: “Plate Lincoln-Delta-382.”
• Unit callsigns: “Unit Lincoln-5 responding code 2.”
• Location details: “Suspect seen near Building Lima.”
• Report notes: “Evidence logged in Section L storage.”

Example of Police Alphabet L in Action (U.S. – ‘Lincoln’)

Officer 1: “Dispatch, Unit Lincoln-5 at 5th and Pine with a 459 in progress.”
Dispatch: “Copy that, Lincoln-5. Backup is heading your way.”

Example of Police Alphabet L in Action (International – ‘Lima’)

Command Post: “Team Lima, secure checkpoint 3 at Sector 4.”
Team Lima: “Acknowledged, moving to Sector 4 now.”

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Why Do Police Use ‘Lincoln’ Instead of Just ‘L’?

Because just saying “L” can sound like “I” or “U” on a poor radio channel. Using ‘Lincoln’ removes doubt, so messages are fast and precise.

What’s the Difference Between Lima and Lincoln?

• “Lincoln” belongs to the APCO spelling alphabet, preferred by U.S. police departments.
• “Lima” comes from the NATO phonetic alphabet, used by military and many services worldwide.

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FAQ