Police Phonetic Alphabet M: Meaning, Usage and Example

Here’s what Police Phonetic Alphabet M means:

Police Phonetic Letter	Full Form	When to Use	Example in Action
M	Mary	Used by U.S. police for clear radio communication	Unit Mary-7 reporting a 10-31
M	Mike	Used by NATO and aviation for noise-proof communication	Rescue Team Mike moving to LZ M

---

What Does Police Phonetic Alphabet M Stand For?

The police letter M stands for:

• Mike (used by NATO and global emergency services)
• Mary (used by U.S. police under APCO standards)

When Is Police Letter M Used in Communication?

Police officers use the letter M in these scenarios:

• Vehicle license plates: “Plate number Mary-Charlie-128.”
• Unit identifiers: “Unit Mike-5 en route to scene.”
• Address clarification: “Apartment M” spoken as “Apartment Mary.”
• Case notes or reports: “Evidence stored in Locker M, Mike section.”

Example of Police Alphabet M in Action (U.S. – ‘Mary’)

Officer 1: “Dispatch, Unit Mary-7 reporting a 10-31 at Elm and 4th.”
Dispatch: “Copy, Mary-7. Backup is on the way.”

Example of Police Alphabet M in Action (International – ‘Mike’)

Control Tower: “Rescue Team Mike, proceed to Landing Zone M.”
Rescue Team Mike: “Roger that, moving to Landing Zone M.”

Why Do Police Use ‘Mary’ Instead of Just ‘M’?

Simply saying “M” can be mistaken for “N” or “E” over a scratchy radio. “Mary” cuts through the noise—no repeats, no confusion.

What’s the Difference Between Mike and Mary?

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

---

FAQ