CAD Incident Priority Codes

When configuring a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software program, each agency must pre-establish the priorities of various categories of incidents. These priorities set the agency's determination of how quickly the incident should receive dispatch, and procedures for dispatchers handling the incident.

The following priority code definitions were established by an agency, and are examples for your own definitions.

Priority 1: These incidents are to be dispatched immediately to any cars clear on the involved or any adjoining precinct. Under normal circumstances, two or more officers will be dispatched. However, if two officers are not available, and comments on the incident indicate a present, or imminent, threat to a citizen's safety, the first available officer will be dispatched directly to the scene. If no units are available on the involved precinct or adjoining precinct the dispatcher will immediately notify the precinct or nearest available sergeant. The sergeant will personally respond, redirect cars that may be on a lower priority run to respond, or will advise the dispatcher to pull cars from non-adjoining precincts. The alert tone will be used when dispatching these incidents. Priority 1 ten codes require a 10-60 response, unless the 10-60 would further endanger the victim(s). If dispatching units on a 10-60, attempt to use a two officer unit. If a two officer unit is not available, dispatch one car on a 10-60. Notify the precinct sergeant that the unit(s) is responding on a 10-60. These goals and procedures are used for: Crimes in progress involving life threatening circumstances and situations that produce or are likely to produce serious bodily injury or death to any person.

Priority 2: These incidents are to be dispatched immediately to any cars clear on the involved or any adjoining precinct. If no units are available on the involved precinct or adjoining precinct, the dispatcher will immediately notify the precinct or nearest available sergeant.The sergeant will personally respond, redirect cars that may be on a lower priority run to respond, or will advise the dispatcher to pull cars from non-adjoining precincts. Priority 2 incidents are: Felony crimes in progress or that have just occurred, incidents in progress that present the potential for injury or property damage/loss, situations where the suspect is still at the scene or in the area and will elude apprehension or create the potential for injury or property damage if the police do not arrive rapidly, incidents where an officer is needed to secure a scene or witnesses, and incidents where there is a need for crowd control or traffic control which, if not done immediately, would create the imminent potential for injury or property damage/loss.

Priority 3: These incidents are to be dispatched within 30 minutes. Since patrol supervisors monitor pending calls via Patrol View, dispatchers are not required to notify them of incidents held past the response goal. Call backs will be made no later than 30 minutes after the response goal expires. Priority 3 incidents are: Misdemeanors in progress or that have just occurred, reports of recent felony crimes, suspicious circumstances with no threat of injury, and incidents that do not require an officer immediately, but need investigation,mediation, or intervention.

Priority 4:These incidents are to be dispatched within 60 minutes. Since patrol supervisors monitor pending calls via Patrol View, dispatchers are not required to notify them of incidents held past the response goal. Call backs will be made no later than 30 minutes after the response goal expires. Priority 4 incidents are: Service related calls for an officer to respond that cannot be handled by telephone, misdemeanor reports when caller demands cruiser or when and officer needs to investigate the scene or interview witnesses, and requests for officers that do not require a quick response.

Priority 5: These incidents are to be dispatched to the district unit if available. If not available, then dispatch to the next appropriate unit before the end of that tour. Since patrol supervisors monitor pending calls via Patrol View, dispatchers are not required to notify them of incidents held past the response goal. Call backs will be made no later than 30 minutes after the response goal expires. This priority also contains certain ten codes that are primarily used for in-house purposes.