why are the police called 12

The police are called "12" primarily because of the police radio code "10-12," which means "stand by" or "be on alert" indicating the presence of officers or bystanders nearby. Over time, this code was shortened to just "12" and became a slang term used as a warning to others about law enforcement presence. Other theories suggest the term could have originated from Atlanta police narcotics unit numbers or the popular police TV show "Adam-12," but the radio code explanation is the strongest and most widely accepted origin. The slang term "12" has been popularized further by rap music, social media, and street culture in the U.S.