Police Call Codes




Alco:
"Alcoliser" portable device used to testing the concentration of alcohol in a persons system. Passive test involves counting from 1-10 (or until the device beeps) and will return positive/negative result only. Direct test requires the operator to insert a tube and have the driver blow for about 5 seconds (or until the device beeps) and will give an accurate reading such as 0.49 gramms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.

Alchometer:
The old style of alcoliser that required a tube and was less accurate (no longer used in NSW).

BAS:
"Breath Analysis System" static device used for accurately determining the concentration of alcohol in a persons system. This is a large machine usually located at the police station or in an on-site bus for large-scale stationary RBT operations. All full-licence holders returning a reading of 0.050 or above on an alco, or learner/p-plate drivers returning a reading of 0.01 or above are required to undergo this test.

BAS Operator:
"Breath Analysis System Operator" someone who is qualified to operate the BAS machine.

By:
"Standing By" said by a car crew if radio is trying to contact them.

CNI:
"Central Names Index" a unique number assigned to everyone on the police system.

CNI check:
"Central Names Index Check" the officer will provide a persons name and date of birth via radio to check whether or not the person is known to police, and if so, any adverse history or warnings.

Code Blue:
Proceed to a job obeying traffic laws and road rules.

Code Red:
Proceed to a job as fast as possible (lights and sirens).

Decontamination:
An ambulance is required to decontaminate someone who has been sprayed with OC.

Duty Officer:
An Inspector who is in charge of daily operations.

Expedite:
Go somewhere code red (lights and sirens).

ILS:
"Integrated Licensing System" used to check if someone has a license (other than a drivers license), such as a firearms or security license.

IP:
"Intoxicated Person" someone that has had way too much to drink.

LAC:
"Local Area Command" the area patrolled by a particular station.

OC:
"Oleoresin Capsicum Spray".

Off:
"Calling Off" when a crew is attending a location in regards to a job, follow-up, inquiries, etc, they will call off to let radio know where they are. If they need to call urgent or signal one, radio will know where to send additional crews. If the crew is going off for a job they can simply say "City 15 off at the three monkeys", however if it is for another purpose then they will need to provide more information such as "City 15 off at the three monkeys, George St cross of Liverpool St, Sydney, in regards to collecting CCTV footage".

On:
"Calling On" when a few is back on from being off at a job, follow-up, inquiry, etc. Nothing needs to be stated except for the call sign and that they are back on, such as "City 15 back on".

POI:
"Person Of Interest" the bad person is always referred to as this unless a suspect or charged. Radio Secure: usually a requirement after a CNI check. Requires the police officer to either turn his/her radio down, or move away from the offender, so that the radio cannot be heard by anyone else.

RBT:
"Random Breath Test/ing" can be either stationary or mobile. Stationary RBTs are when an RBT site is set up and there is a line of police performing many RBTs at once. Mobile RBTs are when a police car is following someone and they pull them over individually.

Schedule:
When someone is in danger of harming themselves, harming others, or committing an offense, and they appear to be mentally ill they will be scheduled under the Mental Health Act. They are not under arrest, but at the same time they are not permitted to leave.

Signal One:
A police officer is in serious (usually life threatening) trouble. Anyone that calls Signal One will have every crew on channel, regardless of rank or duty, drop what they are doing and proceed code red to their location.

Urgent/Priority 2:
Usually followed by the radio operator saying "CarCrewX ONLY go ahead". If you call urgent all other cars will wait for you to broadcast your message.

VKG
"Voice of King George" another term for police radio.

YLO:
"Youth Liaison Officer" someone who is qualified to authorize alternatives to arrest for youth offenders (such as official cautions, youth justice panels, etc).