Why Do They Call the Police 12? Origin, Spread & More

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Unraveling the mystery behind why people refer to cops as “12”

Co-authored by Saul Jaeger, MS and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: March 24, 2025 Fact Checked

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Why People Call the Police "12"

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When did the police become “12?”

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Spread in Hip-Hop Music

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Why do people call cops “5-0?”

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Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve probably heard people call cops “12” on social media and in everyday conversation, but when did that begin and why is it so popular? There’s debate over the origins of the slang term, but we’ll go over all the possible theories of why people call cops “12.” We’ll also explain how the term became common slang and why people also sometimes refer to cops as “5-0.”

Why 12 Is Slang for the Police: Quick Overview

The origin of calling cops “12” is unclear, but many people believe it stems from police radio codes. The code “10-12” is used to inform officers to be discreet since civilians may be nearby, which was shortened to “12” over time. Alternatively, people may refer to cops as “12” due to the popular TV show Adam-12.

Section 1 of 5:

Why People Call the Police "12"

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In some jurisdictions, “10-12” is a police radio code that means “visitors present,” informing officers to be discreet since civilians might be nearby.^{[1]
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Research source} 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.^{[2]
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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.^{[3]
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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.^{[4]
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- 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.
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.

Section 2 of 5:

When did the police become “12?”

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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.^{[5]
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Section 3 of 5:

Spread of “12” in Hip-Hop Music

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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,” have 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).^{[6]
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Section 4 of 5:

Why do people call cops “5-0?”

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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.^{[7]
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Section 5 of 5:

Frequently Asked Questions

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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.^{[8]
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- 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.
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.”^{[9]
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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 colleagues.