LAPD Terminology

[Glenn Highcove]

This question is not regarding anything covered in "Police Call," (such as
the radio codes or penal codes) so please do not tell me to get a copy. I
was wondering whether any other Los Angeles listeners out there understood
the system the various units use to identify themselves. What I often hear
is something like this: "10 A 75...." Now, I have come to the conclusion
that the first number is the district the car is from (since I live in the
Valley and listen to the West Valley/ Van Nuys channel, I hear a lot of 9s
and 10s.) However, what does the middle letter stand for? I often hear A,
L, or X. Also, I heard someone today request a DV unit. Is that a
domestic violence unit? Also, what is a hot shot? Is it an air support
unit? And what channel is Simplex 1? Also, does anyone know any reliable
(meaning active) detective freqs? And what is the best channel for
listening to Police Helicopter traffic? It is often hard to determine
which one of the many freqs listed in Police Call will give me what I want
to hear. I know this is a lot to ask, so any help you can give would be
greatly appreciated.

[Anthony Snow]

You are partially correct. The first number "10" refers to the division.
There are about 18 patrol divisions. The letter refers to the unit
assignment. "A" is an "adam" or two officer unit, "L" is a "lincoln" or
a one man unit, "X" is an "extra" patrol unit, "Z" is a "zebra" or a
special patrol unit, and a "U" car is a report car. There are several
other designations but these are the most common. The last set of
numbers (75) refers to the cars assgined reporting district. Each
division is subdivided into reporting districts. A car is assigned to a
specific district but frequently cars are given calls outside their
district. A "hotshot" is just slang for a priority call. When they say
they are holding a hotshot, that means that there is not a unit
available to be assigned to a priority call. Simplex 1 is the
non-repeater frequency for tac 1. Tac 1 is the city wide channel that
thy broadcast all "hotshots" and requests for air ships. The helos
monitor tac 1. Some detectives use this freq as well.

[David]

I am not familiar with LAPD but as an officer I can guess at a few of
these questions. Your first assumption is correct the 10 in 10A75 would be
the precinct number or district the A would be the type of unit ie, Patrol,
Trafic, or whatever it is. It is hard to tell without knowing the department,
and the last number is probably the post. The post is the set area that car
and subsequently the officer are primarily responsible for. The only other
one I can answer or guess at is the Hot Shot is probably a car or unit with
jumper cables. At least that is what it is in a lot of departments. By
listening to what circumstances that are requesting these things for you may
be able to tell what it is... Good Luck..
In article <01bcd212$ad981200$15f4...@glenn.resnet.ucla.edu>, "Glenn