Police Terms, Acronyms and Jargon

Admission Definition: Judgement that a

criminal defendant has not been proved
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Affidavit. Definition: A written statement
of facts confirmed by the oath of the
party making it, before a notary or
officer having authority to administer
oaths.
Aggravated Definition: (offense; e.g.
aggravated assault, aggravated
battery): A condition which makes an
offense more serious, and subjects the
offender to greater punishment.
Arrest Definition: To take a person into
custody, by authority of law, for the
purpose of charging him/her with a
criminal offense. An arrest is proper
when an officer observes criminal
behavior or reasonably believes the
individual has engaged in criminal
behavior; or upon warrant issued by a
judge or magistrate.
Arson Definition: Unlawfully damaging
real or personal property by means of
fire or explosives. This offense
includes damaging one's own property
with the intent to defraud an insurer.
At Large Definition: Used by law
enforcement when referring to a
criminal that is unaccounted
Back up Definition: To assist another
officer.
Bail Definition: Money or security bond
posted with the court to guarantee an
appearance.
Beat Definition: A geographic area
assigned to specific officers for
patrol.
Burglary Definition: Illegally entering
or remaining in a building, vehicle, or
water craft, with intent to commit any
felony or theft.
Case Number Definition: Sequential
reference number assigned to a case by
dispatch.
Case Definition: The complete
investigation report of a crime.
Centerpunch Definition: To broadside, as
in a traffic accident.
Chip Definition: Use narcotics
infrequently; not addicted.
Cite Out Definition: Release on a signed
promise to appear without posting cash
bail.
Cite Definition: Give someone a ticket.
Citizen Definition: Anyone not part of
the police force; person requesting
service.
Civil Action Definition: A lawsuit in
which a private party, rather than the
state, is plaintiff, and where the
plaintiff's remedy is either money
damages or an injunction. In some
cases, the same conduct can give rise
to both a civil or criminal action.
Civilian Definition: Anyone not part of
the police force.
Clan Lab Definition: Facility or
chemical lab where methamphetamine or
other drug is made.
CLETS Definition: Data interchange
switcher for state data files.
Clock Definition: To seriously assault
someone.
Clout Definition: Stealing items from an
unlocked vehicle.
Code - 1 Definition: A non-emergency
call.
Code-2Definition: Indicating a sense of
urgency; get moving
Code-3 Definition: Emergency situation;
use lights and sirens
Code-33 Definition: Emergency situation
- emergency radio traffic only.
Code-4 Definition: Under control, no
further assistance necessary.
Code-5 Definition: Represents a stakeout
is in progress; an officer on stakeout.
Code-6 Definition: Stands for "walking
patrol" or "on foot”.
Code-7 Definition: Meal Breaks
Cold Paper Definition: A case report from
a very old crime.
Community Adjustment Definition:
Disposition of a juvenile offense which
involves releasing the offender to a
parent or guardian, with follow-up
assistance by either the police or a
community agency. A community
adjustment is an alternative to
juvenile court, made in the discretion
of the police, for less serious
offenses.
Complaint Definition: A statement under
oath whereby a witness accuses an
individual of criminal behavior.
Although a complaint may trigger an
arrest, it is not in itself sufficient
in Illinois and most jurisdictions to
bring the offender before a criminal
court.
Confession Definition: A person's
admissions of enough facts to establish
his or her guilt of a particular crime.
Conspiracy Definition: Agreement with
another, or others, to commit a crime,
and an act by any party to the
agreement in furtherance of the
agreement.
Cook Definition: Making
methamphetamine.
Cooker Definition: One who makes
Methamphetamine.
Cop the Plate Definition: To get the
information off of a license plate.
Cop Definition: To admit to something.
It is also used when referring to the
purchase of narcotics, generally a
small amount for personal use, not for
distribution.
CORI Definition: Criminal Offender
Record Information (protected and
restricted)
Cover Definition: To assist another
officer.
Crank Definition: Methamphetamine.
Cranked Definition: Under the influence
of Methamphetamine.
Criminal Action Definition: A lawsuit in
which the state or the public, rather
than a private party, is plaintiff, and
the defendant faces punishment such as
a fine or incarceration if convicted.
Crook Definition: The suspect in a
crime.
Cross Definition: The cross, or
intersecting street.
D.L. Definition: Acronym for driver's
license.
D.O.A. Definition: Acronym for "dead on
arrival, "as applied to a person who
expires before reaching a medical
facility.
D.O.B. Definition: Acronym for "date of
birth."
Detail Definition: An assignment, or call
for service.
Detective Definition: A sworn member of
the Department responsible for the
follow-up investigation of crime.
Deuce Definition: A drunk driver.
Dime Bag Definition: $10 worth of
narcotics.
Dime Definition: $10 worth of
narcotics, 10 years in jail.
Dirty Definition: Guilty of a crime.
Disorderly Conduct Definition: An act which
unreasonably alarms or disturbs another
and provokes as breach of the peace.
Dope Definition: Any illegal narcotic.
Dopin' Definition: Participating in
illegal use, sales, or manufacturing of
narcotics.
Double-deuce Gatt Definition: A .22 caliber
pistol.
Down For Definition: Guilty of or
responsible for an illegal act.
Down Paper Definition: Pending reports
that need to be written.
Drive-by Definition: To go by a specific
location to observe something.
DUI or DWI Definition: Driving under the
influence.
Fixit Ticket Definition: Citation for
equipment violation with no fine if
fixed.
FST Definition: The acronym for 'field
sobriety test'.
FTA Definition: An acronym for
"failure to appear" for a required
court appearance or proceeding.
FTP Definition: An acronym for "failure
to pay" as in failure to pay a fine
imporsed by a court.
Gate Out Definition: To be released from
prison or the prison where someone is
released from.
Gatt Definition: A firearm, usually in
reference to a pistol.
Go by Complaint Definition: Charging a
crime by affidavit without arresting
them first.
GOA Definition: Acronym for "gone on
arrival."
Going Down Definition: Happening now.
Grand Jury Definition: A panel of
registered voters which considers
charges a prosecutor has filed against
an accused, and/or investigates
criminal activity on its own direction.
The use of the grand jury varies
throughout the country. In some states,
it is mandatory for all felony charges.
In others, there is no grand jury
system at all. Illinois has a grand
jury system, but its use in a
particular case is a matter of
prosecutorial discretion.
Hit Definition: Information match
found; i.e., warrant is outstanding.
Homicide Definition: The unlawful
killing of a human being. Includes both
murder and manslaughter.
Hook Up Definition: To arrest; more
specifically, to handcuff.
Hook Definition: To arrest or to tow a
car.
Hoopty Definition: An old car in poor
condition.
Information Definition: An accusatory
document filed in court by a
prosecutor, without indictment,
charging a named individual with a
crime. The term derives from the
prosecutor's statement that he makes
his charges based on his "information
and belief" rather than firsthand
knowledge.
Infraction Definition: Minor violation of
law- fine only (traffic violation).
Intimidation Definition: To threaten
another in order to influence his
behavior. The threat may include
physical harm, restraint, confinement,
or accusations of crime (even if true).
Invoke Definition: Exercise of right to
remain silent.
Joint Definition: 1.Marijuana cigarette
(still in use, but infrequently).
2. Prison
Juvenile Definition: A person under 17
years of age, also referred to as a
youth. Also see minor.
Knock and Announce Definition: Required
communication when serving search
warrant.
Knock and Talk Definition: 1. To go talk
to someone at their house without a
warrant. 2. Low-key.
Lawyer Up Definition: Ask for or be
represented by an attorney.
Line-Up Definition: Daily pre-work
meeting of the patrol team.
Loaded Definition: Under the influence
of a narcotic.
Magazine Definition: 1. Portion of
firearm (pistol or rifle) containing
ammunition. 2. Extra ammunition.
Mahaska Definition: Also pronounced
"mahaskie" or "mohaskie", meaning -
concealed firearm.
Make the Bucket Definition: Get arrested.
Mechanical Definition: Traffic citation
for equipment violation.
Miranda Definition: Warning of
constitutional right to remain silent
and to have legal representation.
Misdemeanor Definition: Less serious
violation of law- penalty of county
jail and or fine only.
On the Box Definition: Being given a lie
detector test.
Pat Down Definition: Do a cursory search
for weapons at a detention or arrest.
Perimeter Definition: Exterior positions
at a crime scene.
Photo Lineup Definition: Group of six
photos, with one of the suspect, for
witnesses to identify.
Precursors Definition: Any of various
chemicals used to manufacture
narcotics.
Priors Definition: Any previous arrests
for a specific crime.
Prisoner Definition: Someone arrested and
in custody.
Probation Search Definition: Search of
person, vehicle, or residence based on
probation status.
Search Clause Definition: Condition of
probation where someone can be searched
at will.
Slug Definition: Bullet or projectile.
Sustained Definition: Personnel complaint
that is upheld by Internal Affairs.
Take Paper Definition: Make an official
police report.
Victim Definition: The person who was
directly victimized by the crime.
Warrant Definition: Order from a Court
commanding the arrest of someone, for
something.