| Every career has its own special lingo and law | | | | from an officer, but only if he isn't able to be |
| enforcement is not any different. When writing | | | | overheard by a superior or the press. |
| detective stories, you want to make your story | | | | Much of this "lingo" comes from the manner in |
| to read realistically so it draws your reader into | | | | which they have to write their reports. Because |
| the tale. But short of starting a law enforcement | | | | they have to be clear and very formal in their |
| career, how do you go about making your police | | | | writings, they tend to speak the same way. |
| characters seem real. | | | | Radio Talk |
| One way to bring your officers to life is have | | | | Police spend a lot of time talking to each other on |
| them speak like real policemen. Adding bits of lingo | | | | their radios. It is the easiest and most convenient |
| to your officer's speech will go a long way to | | | | method of communication. Most police radio |
| make them even more real for your readers. | | | | conversations are in plain English, but they do |
| Regular Talk | | | | have some "standard" codes they use when on |
| When speaking to each other, police officers will | | | | the radio. |
| use the language of their job. Much like an | | | | Code Two Regular response, no emergency. |
| accountant or lawyer, they have their own unique | | | | There is no need for lights and sirens. |
| way to communicate to their colleagues. Here are | | | | Code Three Use lights and sirens. This is used |
| some words and phrases you can use to make | | | | when officers need back up quickly, but are still in |
| your detective sound more real. The civilian word | | | | control. |
| is first, the police version second. | | | | Code Four I'm okay. Officers will use this one to |
| Go to --------------------- Respond to | | | | make sure a fellow officer is all right, or to let |
| Fight --------------------- Disturbance | | | | other officers know they are fine. |
| Car ----------------------- Vehicle | | | | Code Eight Office needs assistance. This is used |
| Person -------------------- Party | | | | when an officer is in immediate danger; drawing |
| Kids ---------------------- Juveniles | | | | fire, been wounded or being attacked. |
| Ticket -------------------- Summons | | | | Remember, these codes can vary from |
| Yes ----------------------- Affirmative | | | | department to department, so if you are not |
| No ------------------------ Negative | | | | sure what the law enforcement in your story's |
| Wait ---------------------- Stand by | | | | area would use, then create your own codes. You |
| I understand -------------- Copy | | | | can use these as a guide to come up with your |
| I'm on the way ------------ I'm in route | | | | own. |
| Got out of the car -------- Exited the vehicle | | | | If you want to hear real police officers in action, |
| Man ----------------------- Male | | | | there are many wonderful real-life police shows |
| Woman --------------------- Female | | | | which show real police men and women in action. |
| Another thing to remember is most police do not | | | | How your detective looks and acts will help bring |
| call a known bad guy a "perp", they call them | | | | him to life for your reader. Make him sound like a |
| suspects. In court, they call them defendants and | | | | cop too and your story will walk and talk like a |
| when detained, they are arrestees. A particularly | | | | policeman. |
| evil bad guy might elicit a "dirt bag" comment | | | | |