Police Alphabet - Police Phonetic Alphabet
Quick Answer
Learn the police alphabet used by law enforcement dispatchers, officers, and public safety radio operators.
- Topic: Police
- Best use: fast reference, learning, and clear communication.
- Updated: 2025-08-11
The police alphabet is a public-safety spelling alphabet used by many law enforcement agencies. It often differs from NATO, using words such as Adam, Boy, Charles, David, and Edward.
Police vs. NATO
Police departments choose local standards for dispatch clarity. Some agencies use APCO-style words, others use NATO words, and many use a hybrid.
When It Is Used
- Spelling names and addresses to dispatch.
- Reading vehicle plates and identifiers.
- Communicating suspect descriptions.
- Clarifying street names or unit identifiers.
Police Alphabet
| Letter | Police Code Word | Common Variant |
|---|---|---|
| A | Adam | Alpha |
| B | Boy | Bravo |
| C | Charles | Charlie |
| D | David | Delta |
| E | Edward | Echo |
| F | Frank | Foxtrot |
| G | George | Golf |
| H | Henry | Hotel |
| I | Ida | India |
| J | John | Juliet |
| K | King | Kilo |
| L | Lincoln | Lima |
| M | Mary | Mike |
| N | Nora | November |
| O | Ocean | Oscar |
| P | Paul | Papa |
| Q | Queen | Quebec |
| R | Robert | Romeo |
| S | Sam | Sierra |
| T | Tom | Tango |
| U | Union | Uniform |
| V | Victor | Victor |
| W | William | Whiskey |
| X | X-ray | X-ray |
| Y | Young | Yankee |
| Z | Zebra | Zulu |