Have you ever found yourself staring at a New York police report, completely puzzled by the string of numbers and abbreviations scattered throughout the document? You’re not alone. Police report codes can seem like a foreign language to the uninitiated, but understanding them is crucial if you want to fully comprehend what happened during an incident.
Whether you’re dealing with a car accident report, reviewing a criminal incident, or just curious about how police document events, knowing how to decode these reports can be incredibly valuable. Let’s break down the mystery of New York police report codes in a way that actually makes sense.
The Basics of NY Police Report Structure
Before diving into specific codes, it helps to understand the general layout of a New York police report. Most reports follow a standardized format that includes:
- Header information: Date, time, location, reporting officer
- Involved parties: Names, contact information, roles (victim, witness, suspect)
- Narrative section: The officer’s written account of the incident
- Codes and classifications: The alphanumeric codes that categorize the incident
The codes are what often trip people up, but they’re actually designed to make reporting more efficient and consistent across departments.
“Police report codes are essentially shorthand that allows officers to quickly classify incidents and communicate important information,” explains retired NYPD officer Frank Miller. These codes have evolved over decades and continue to adapt as new types of incidents emerge.
Deciphering Penal Law Codes
One of the most common types of codes you’ll encounter are those referencing the New York State Penal Law. These typically appear as “PL” followed by numbers.
For example:
- PL 120.00 – Basic assault (3rd degree)
- PL 155.25 – Petit larceny
- PL 220.03 – Criminal possession of a controlled substance (7th degree)
The structure follows a pattern: the first three digits refer to the article of the penal law, and the digits after the decimal point specify the section within that article. So PL 120.00 refers to Article 120 (Assault and Related Offenses), Section 00.
If you see something like “PL 140.20” on a report, you can look it up in the New York State Penal Law to find that it refers to criminal trespass in the third degree. This specificity helps everyone in the criminal justice system understand exactly what alleged crime is being documented.
Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) Codes
If you’re looking at an accident report or a traffic citation, you’ll likely encounter VTL codes. These reference New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law and follow a similar pattern to penal codes.
Common VTL codes include:
- VTL 1180(d) – Speeding
- VTL 1192.2 – Driving while intoxicated
- VTL 1128(a) – Unsafe lane change
- VTL 375(2) – Equipment violations (like broken headlights)
These codes are particularly important to understand if you’re dealing with insurance claims or fighting a traffic ticket.
Disposition Codes: What Happened Next?
Disposition codes tell you the outcome or current status of a case. These codes indicate what action was taken after the initial report was filed.
Some common disposition codes in New York include:
- ARR – Arrest made
- CLD – Case closed
- EXC – Exceptionally cleared (solved but no arrest possible)
- OPN – Case remains open/active
- UNF – Unfounded (complaint determined to be without merit)
“Understanding disposition codes is critical because they tell you whether a case is still active or if it’s been resolved in some way,” notes legal analyst Sarah Jenkins.
10-Codes: Radio Communication Shorthand
While not always included in written reports, you might sometimes see references to “10-codes” which officers use in radio communications. These codes vary somewhat between jurisdictions, but some common ones in New York include:
- 10-4 – Message received/understood
- 10-20 – Location
- 10-52 – Ambulance needed
- 10-54 – Possible dead body
- 10-55 – Intoxicated driver
- 10-85 – Officer needs assistance
These codes were developed to speed up radio communication and reduce airtime, though many departments are moving toward plain language communications for clarity.
ICAD and CAD Codes
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems and Integrated Computer Assisted Dispatch (ICAD) systems use their own sets of codes to categorize incidents when calls come in. These often appear at the top of reports.
Some examples:
- 10-10 – Possible crime
- 10-13 – Assist police officer
- 10-30 – Burglary
- 10-31 – Robbery
- 10-53 – Vehicle accident
The context around these codes in the report will help you determine whether they’re referring to the initial call type or something else.
Location and Precinct Codes
New York City divides its policing into precincts, each with its own numerical designation. For example, “PCT 013” refers to the 13th Precinct in Manhattan. These codes help identify where an incident occurred and which officers have jurisdiction.
Additionally, you might see sector codes that further break down locations within precincts. These typically appear as a letter-number combination like “A1” or “B2“.
How to Look Up Unfamiliar Codes
If you encounter a code you don’t recognize, several resources can help:
- The New York State Law website – Official source for penal and vehicle traffic laws
- Your local precinct – Most are willing to explain codes if you ask politely
- FOIL requests – Freedom of Information Law requests can get you code explanations
- Legal aid organizations – They often have guides to help clients understand reports
Remember that some internal administrative codes might not be publicly documented, so don’t be frustrated if you can’t decipher every single abbreviation.
Why Understanding These Codes Matters
Beyond satisfying curiosity, there are practical reasons to understand police report codes:
- Insurance claims – Proper interpretation can affect how insurance companies process claims
- Legal proceedings – Understanding the exact charges or incident classifications is crucial
- Background checks – Knowing what incidents actually involved helps put records in context
- Public safety awareness – Understanding crime patterns in your neighborhood
“Knowledge is power when it comes to navigating the legal system,” says criminal defense attorney David Rodriguez. “Being able to read and understand police reports gives you an advantage whether you’re dealing with a fender bender or something more serious.”
The next time you find yourself staring at a New York police report filled with mysterious codes, remember that each one has a specific meaning designed to efficiently communicate important information. With this guide, you’re now better equipped to crack the code and understand what really happened.