Why Are Police Called 12? Origin, Spread & More

What does “12” mean in slang?

The slang term “12” refers to cops or the police. Oftentimes, “12” is used to warn people that law enforcement is nearby or on the way, especially in urban communities and street culture. It gives people an alert to avoid the area and/or avoid doing anything illegal. “F*** 12! They’re out to get us ????????????” “Throw the bottle out, 12 just hit the block!” “Leave the party ASAP. The neighbors just called 12.”

Why are police called “12?”

The Police Radio Code Theory In some jurisdictions, “10-12” is a police radio code that means “visitors presents,” informing officers to be discreet since civilians might be nearby. Police use ten-codes to ensure clear communication over the radio, and the code might have shortened to “12” over time as a way to alert others about the presence of law enforcement.

The Adam-12 TV Show Theory Another popular theory is that “12” comes from the popular TV show Adam-12, which ran from 1968 to 1974. The police drama followed the daily lives of two LAPD officers in their patrol unit, 1-Adam-12, and the show’s title and constant reference to the officers’ unit number may have contributed to the use of “12” becoming a slang term for cops.

The “All Cops Are Bastards (ACAB)” Theory Some people claim that “12” derives from the acronym “ACAB,” which stands for “All Cops Are Bastards.” The number “1312” can be used to represent the letters in the acronym, where 1=A, 3=C, and 2=B. People may have shortened “1312” to “12” as a slang term for cops over time. The slogan ACAB is associated with people who oppose the police, and believe cops abuse their power and work in a system that works to devalue people of color.

The 12th Precinct of the NYPD Theory A less common theory is that the slang term “12” comes from the 12th precinct of the New York City Police Department, which was known for its aggressive policing tactics. The term may have been adopted by communities as a shorthand for the police over time.

When did the police become “12?”

People began referring to the police as “12” in the 1960s and 1970s. Starting in the late 1960s, people started calling cops “12” as a quick way to alert members in the community that law enforcement was nearby. It’s believed to stem from African American Vernacular English (AAVE), before rapidly catching on in popular culture.

Spread of “12” in Hip-Hop Music

Many southern rappers have used “12” to refer to narcotics officers. In Atlanta and other parts of the South, “12” is widely-used slang for cops, due to its frequent use in rap and hip-hop songs. Songs like “F*** 12” by Migos, which contains the lyrics “Aye throw that s***, throw that s*** outside,” has contributed to the popularity of the term in urban communities. In this context, rappers use “12” to tell listeners to throw drugs outside to avoid getting caught by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Why do people call cops “5-0?”

People refer to cops as “5-0” due to the popular TV show Hawaii Five-O. The show originally ran from 1968 to 1980, before having a reboot from 2010 to 2020. It centered around a special state police unit in Hawaii called the “Five-O Task Force,” which became synonymous with the police in American pop culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “12” a derogatory term for police? No, it’s a slang term that people use informally to refer to the police. It isn’t derogatory on its own, but it can be rude or offensive, depending on the context and tone in which it’s used. With that being said, some people argue that calling the police slang terms can be disrespectful, perpetuating an “us vs. them” mentality and undermining the importance of law enforcement.

What are other slang terms for the police? People refer to the police as “cops,” “the fuzz,” “pigs,” “5-0 (or Five-O),” “the Po-Po,” or “the boys in blue.” In Britain, people refer to cops “bobbies,” “plodder,” “rozz,” “nicker,” and “blue bottle.”

Do police officers use the term “12” to refer to themselves? No, “12” is mainly a slang term used by civilians, especially in urban communities, to refer to law enforcement. Police officers may use terms like “unit,” “patrol,” or “officer,” to refer to themselves or their collegues.