Phoenix Police Department

Welcome to my (ex) town, it's police precincts,
and my obsession with scanner listening

Stop by sometime, and listen in. Real life can be interesting!

As indicated on the above map,
here are the radio frequencies for each area of Phoenix:

400 (south) - 155.370
Bordered by the Salt River and 7th St./Van Buren St. (north), the city limits to the south, west, and east.

500 (central) - 155.070
Bordered by Thomas Rd. (north), the Salt River and 7th St./Van Buren St. (south), I.17 (west), and the city limits (east)

600 (north) - 155.640
Bordered by the city limits (north), Glendale Ave. (south), 15th, 19th, and 7th Aves. (west), and the city limits (east)

700 (east) - 155.520
Bordered by Glendale Ave. (north), Thomas Rd. (south), I.17 (west), and the city limits (east)

800 (west) - 155.430
Bordered by Camelback Rd. (north), the city limits to the south and west, and I.17/Durango/35th Ave. (east)

900 (northwest) - 155.700
Bordered by the city limits (north), Camelback Rd. (south), the city limits (west), and 15th, 19th, and 7th Aves. (east)

The Phoenix police department uses the higher frequencies 453.100 (Channel #1) for northside (600, 700, and 900) emergency ("chase") responses, and 453.450 (Channel #3) for southside (400, 500, and 800) emergency responses. Because these are higher frequencies, they travel further and are easier to hear. These are definitely the two coolest frequencies for your listening pleasure!

Phoenix also uses 155.610 (Channel #10) for informal "car-to-car" communication, and 155.760 (Channel #12) for tactical, warrant, automobile, and other information. Detectives use 453.200 for most communication, however there are several other frequencies that may be used during certain (possibly more extreme) situations.

Listed below, are several (but not all) of the numbered codes and "10" codes for particular Phoenix calls. These codes may vary from city to city. For instance "211" means "armed robbery" just about everywhere, but there are many codes that mean one thing in one city but something completely different in another.

Also listed below are the more commonly used Fire Department, Sheriff's Department, and Department of Public Safety frequencies in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. DPS is basically the Arizona version of the Highway Patrol.

Phoenix Numbered Codes
(some used with added letters, as indicated)

"Code 3" No sign of trouble
"Code 4" No further assistance needed
101 Female
210 "Strong armed" robbery
211 Armed robbery
237 Drugs (w/"D" = Dangerous, w/"M" = Marijuana)
239 Fight
240 Assault
245 Assault with a deadly weapon
261 Rape
310 Child Molestation
311 Indecent Exposure
317 Solicitation (prostitution)
390 Intoxication (w/"D" = Driver)
417 Threat
418 Civil matter
451 Homicide
487 Theft
491 Kidnapping
508 Traffic detail
510 Speeding, reckless driving
601 Missing person (w/"J" = Juvenile, w/"F" = Found)
647 Suspicious person (w/"V" = in vehicle)
707 Bomb threat
901 Sick or injured person (w/"G" = Shot, w/"C" = Stabbed, w/"H" = Dead)
907 Backup for officer
961 Traffic accident (w/"H" = Hit and run)
962 Traffic accident with injuries (w/"H" = Hit and run)
963 Traffic accident with fatalities (w/"H" = Hit and run)
998 Officer involved in shooting
999 Officer needs help immediately! (the ULTIMATE call! I've only heard it once in over four years of listening!))

Phoenix "10" Codes

10-1 Weak signal
10-4 The usual (OK, Affirmative, Acknowledged, etc.)
10-6 Traffic stop (in Phoenix) Also indicates "busy"
10-8 Available for service
10-9 Repeat transmission
10-12 Stand by for further
10-17 En route
10-20 Location
10-21 Phone (number, call, etc.)
10-22 Disregard
10-23 Arrived at scene
10-27 Diver's license information
10-28 Vehicle registration information
10-29 Warrant and/or records information
10-33 Emergency! All other radio transmissions stop.
10-50 Switch frequencies

Some "Cop Slang"

"Break Off" - Discontinue pursuit. Phoenix PD does not pursue speeding suspects for citizen safety reasons. They will use aircraft to follow and, if possible, capture.
"Dispo" - Disposition. Result of a request for police.
"DOB" - Date of birth.
"FLIR" - Forward Looking InfraRed. Used by police helicopters to "see" heat as opposed to light. Catches fleeing suspects trying to hide, and can detect vehicles recently driven.
"NCIC" - National Crime Information Center. A national criminal reporting agency.
"Ringer" - Audible alarm.
"RP" - Reporting person. Usually, citizen responsible for home or business burglar alarm.

Some other Phoenix frequencies you might want to explore...

Phoenix Metro Fire
154.190 - Dispatch

Maricopa County Sheriff (Phoenix area)
460.175 - Ch. #5 - Central (Litchfield Park)
460.150 - Ch. #3 - East (Scottsdale)
460.075 - Ch. #6 - Chase/Information
460.200 - Ch. #4 - Detectives
460.125 - Ch. #7 - CarToCar Communications

Department of Public Safety
453.225 - Districts 5, 7, &13 (metro)

Some funny calls I've heard...

DISPATCHER: "Complainant hears a male either throwing up or being attacked by an animal in her backyard, um... (awkward pause)... I wasn't aware they sounded alike, but..."

DISPATCHER (at midnight on New Year's Eve): "Welcome to 1998, boys and girls. Cover your heads!"

Listening to the world, in all of its sometimes brutal reality can be fascinating. I oftentimes would drive around town with my portable, always staying out of harms way (and of course out of the way of our paid professionals) but still experiencing firsthand some of the real life stuff that goes on 24 hours a day. Crimes, fires, and everyday troubles never take a day off. And, unlike television shows, everything is real, and not usually wrapped up in a nice, neatly-tied bow after 60 minutes and a few dozen commercials.

Occasionally, I've had the vicarious thrill of actually taking part in the capture of suspects, and have had my gorgeous face end up in the background crowd on the nightly news. It's fun being the one citizen amongst the curious onlookers with the incoming information and answers, instead of just the rumors and questions.

Once, at my own apartment complex, a resident had decided she had lived long enough and, for her own reasons, threatened to kill herself. Unfortunately, she lived on the third floor above a parking area (mine!), and was in possession of a gun. I came home from work during her situation, and walked into it not knowing what was going on. Through listening in, I was able to determine that she had barricaded herself in her apartment earlier that afternoon and because none of us was allowed near her windows (for fear of her taking other lives with hers), had alienated the rest of us to standing out in the rain (yeah, it happens from time to time there in Phoenix!) wondering what was happening and when we'd be able to go home. Because I was able to know firsthand what was happening, I was suddenly quite popular!

The situation finally ended (several hours later) with the police special forces firing four gas pellets through her bedroom window (right past my own!), and forcing her out. Last I heard, she's ok and getting emotional help.

It's an interesting hobby, albeit a bit odd perhaps. Fair warning, however! Finding out how close to home the underside of life can actually may be unsettling for many. A lot of things happen right outside your door or right down your street that you never know about. Personally, I want to know. I'm not one who chooses to live life blind to reality, no matter how distressful it can be. I'd rather be aware and prepared, as opposed to shocked and taken by surprise. It's really out there, folks! It's not just trapped in that little glass window plugged into your wall. There are no commercial breaks in the real world. Don't kid yourselves.

Don't freak!! Our public servants are highly trained
(but also highly underpaid!)

Phoenix Police Department Website

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