Police Phonetic Alphabet R: Meaning, Usage, and Example

Here’s what Police Phonetic Alphabet R means:

Police Phonetic Letter	Full Form	When to Use	Example in Action
R	Robert (US), Romeo (Intl)	Unit identifiers, plates, directions	Unit Robert-5 en route or Team Romeo move to R2

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What Does Police Phonetic Alphabet R Stand For?

The police letter R stands for Romeo for NATO and Robert for U.S. departments.

When Is Police Letter R Used in Communication?

Police officers use the letter R in these scenarios:

• Vehicle plates, e.g. Robert-Bravo-112
• Unit identifiers, e.g. Car Robert-6
• Address checks, e.g. Building R—Romeo Wing
• Case notes, e.g. Locker R

Example of Police Alphabet R in Action (U.S. – Robert)

Officer 1: Dispatch this is Unit Robert-9 on a traffic stop at Fifth and Pine
Dispatch: Copy Robert-9 proceed with caution keep me posted

Example of Police Alphabet R in Action (International – Romeo)

Control Tower: Romeo team prepare for extraction at Zone R2
Rescue Team: Romeo team moving to location now

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Why Do Police Use Robert Instead of Just R?

Because saying the letter R alone can sound like B or P when signals drop. Using Robert cuts through noise and makes it clear.

What’s the Difference Between Romeo and Robert?

• Robert is part of the APCO spelling system favored by U.S. law enforcement
• Romeo comes from the NATO phonetic alphabet used by military, aviation, and many agencies worldwide

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FAQ