Communications • Dispatch • Officer Safety
A modern, professional guide to police radio protocols, including dispatch etiquette, plain-language usage, officer safety rules, emergency traffic, and how law enforcement units communicate across shared channels.
Police radio communication exists for one reason: officer and public safety. Good radio habits help dispatch coordinate calls, track units, request backup, and keep officers safe during fast-moving events.
While every agency has unique policies, the fundamentals are almost universal. This guide covers best practices, plain-English expectations, and how officers talk on the air in real-world conditions.
These are the universal communication rules used by nearly every agency.
Organize your message first. Dead air, rambling, and hesitations waste time on a shared channel.
Most transmissions should be under 5 seconds unless delivering an update or description.
Use a steady, even tone. Radios distort shouting and whispering. Shouting often makes audio worse.
Always give your unit number before your message. Example: “2-14, traffic stop…”
Leave a second of space so dispatch or other units can interrupt with priority traffic.
All modern agencies record every second of radio audio. Professional tone is essential.
Although exact codes vary, most agencies expect officers to report status changes clearly. Common formats include:
Many agencies pair these with 10-codes (10-8, 10-23, 10-97, etc.). This page focuses on the behavior and etiquette, not local code lists.
When an officer is in danger or needs the channel cleared, agencies use specialized signals.
Depending on the agency, this may be:
The channel immediately goes to **priority traffic only**. Dispatch directs resources, air support, perimeter units, and supervisors.
During emergencies: Location comes before details. If the transmission cuts out, at least dispatch knows where to send help.
After 9/11, FEMA and NIMS guidance pushed agencies toward plain-English radio traffic, especially for mutual-aid incidents. Many agencies now use a hybrid system:
See our guide to Police 10-Codes for how shorthand fits into modern communication.
Radio procedures are only one part of the communication system. Connect them with actual penal codes and the ten-code reference system.