Q&A for How to Understand Police Scanner Codes

Depending on the context, if you'd like to know what the codes used on police scanners mean, you could contact your local police department and ask if there is any way for civilians to be taught the current codes used on scanners in your area. However, you'll need to provide a good reason for it, such as Neighborhood Watch or keeping track of traffic flow, etc., or they may wonder why you want this.

In my area, a 9 echo 1 refers to a medical/EMS case related to a severe cardiac problem (9 meaning cardiac, echo meaning severe -- life-threatening).

Around here it is referred to as 10-50 (homicide) or 10-54 (untimely death), depending upon the circumstances.

Most analog scanners were not designed for decoding any digital signals and typically have hardware that cannot be reprogrammed for that.

In some places, a "220" refers to the number on the laws related to mental illness.