Why Are Police Called 5-0: Origin and Meaning Explained

The origin of the term '5-0' in police slang

"Hawaii Five-0" is the origin of the term "5-0" used as slang for police. The American television police drama "Hawaii Five-O" (1968-1980) popularized this term, with "Five-O" referencing Hawaii as the 50th state of the USA. This explains why police are called 5-0 in modern slang. The show's widespread influence led to the adoption of this term in popular culture.

Origin and popularization of 5-0

• Original TV series: The origin of 5-0 as a police term comes from the original "Hawaii Five-O" cop show that aired from 1968 to 1980

• Hawaii as the 50th state: The "Five-O" in the American television police drama's title refers to Hawaii being the 50th state of the United States

• Widespread popularity: The Hawaii Five-0 show's long-running success (12 seasons) and continued syndication helped popularize the term "5-0" for police

• Cultural impact: "Five-0" became so ingrained in popular culture that it's now used as a general reference for police or law enforcement, even outside of Hawaii

Factors contributing to why police are called 5-0

• Catchphrase: The cop show's iconic catchphrase "Book 'em, Danno!" often included charges like "murder one," reinforcing the police context

• Theme music: The American television police drama's distinctive theme music by Morton Stevens became widely recognized, cementing the association between "Five-O" and police

• Syndication: The show's popularity in syndication long after its initial run helped keep the term "5-0" relevant for police

Modern usage and influence of Hawaii Five-0

• 2010 reboot: The 2010 remake of "Hawaii Five-0" (note the change from "O" to "0") further popularized the term for a new generation

• Global reach: The 2010 series was syndicated worldwide, including in Australia, the UK, New Zealand, and South Africa, spreading the term "5-0" for police internationally

• Crossovers: The show's crossover episodes with other popular series like NCIS: Los Angeles, MacGyver, and Magnum P.I. helped maintain its relevance and the use of "5-0" for police

Popularization and widespread use of '5-0'

Police slang includes terms like "5-0", which originated from the TV show "Hawaii Five-0". The term "5-0" became widespread as police slang after the show's popularity. "Hawaii Five-0" refers to Hawaii being the 50th state, and the police unit's name "Five-0" was pronounced as "five-oh". This slang term eventually spread across America, explaining why Americans call police 5-0 and why you might hear people call police 5-0.

Origin and popularization of '5-0' (Five-O meaning)

• TV show origin: The slang term "5-0" for police originated from the TV show "Hawaii Five-0", not the other way around as commonly assumed
• Pronunciation and meaning: In the show, the police department is referred to as "Five-0", pronounced as "five-oh", distinguishing it from Hawaii being the 50th state
• Title spelling: The TV show uses a "zero" in the title instead of the letter "o" to avoid confusion with the slang term "5-0" for police
• Widespread adoption: The popularity of the TV show led to the term "5-0" being adopted as general police slang across the United States

Evolution of police slang and law enforcement terminology (1960s-2024)

1960s counterculture

• Hippie slang: Common terms for police in the 1960s counterculture included "Fuzz", "Heat", "Man", and "Pig"
• "The fuzz" origin: This term referred to police officers' short hair compared to hippies' long hair, rather than being a mispronunciation of "the force"
• "Pig" popularization: The term "pig" for police gained widespread use during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago

LAPD slang evolution

• 1960s terms: LAPD slang included "G-ride" (stolen cars), "the tube" (shotguns), and "hookin' 'n' bookin'" (handcuffing and arresting)
• 1970s additions: Terms like "kicking loose" (releasing a suspect) and "circling the drain" (near death) came into use
• 1990s developments: New slang included "greenies" (traffic tickets) and "on the muscle" (nervous suspect)

Modern police terminology and slang

• Federal agencies: In the US, "Feds" typically refers to federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI and US Marshals Service
• Helicopter slang: "Bird" is US slang for a police helicopter, while "Ghetto Bird" is a more derogatory term
• International variations:
  • UK: "Panda Car" for police vehicles with distinctive markings
  • Australia: "Blue Heeler" for police officers, especially in rural areas
  • France: "Flic" as a non-derogatory term for police

Other police nicknames and codes

Police nicknames include various codes and slang terms used by law enforcement. Common police nicknames and codes include "5-0", 10-codes like 10-4 (acknowledged) and 10-20 (location), and signals such as 11-99 (officer needs help). Police also use the phonetic alphabet (e.g., "Charlie" for C) and jargon like "berries and cherries" for flashing lights. The nickname "5-0" originated from the TV show "Hawaii Five-O". These nicknames and codes are essential for police communication and have become part of law enforcement terminology.

Why are police called 5-0?

The term "5-0" as a nickname for police officers originated from the popular TV show "Hawaii Five-O", which aired from 1968 to 1980. The show featured a fictional state police unit in Hawaii, and the "Five-O" in the title referred to Hawaii being the 50th state to join the United States. Over time, "5-0" became a widely used slang term for police across the country, not just in Hawaii.

Common police radio codes

10-codes

• 10-4: Acknowledged or understood
• 10-20: Location (e.g. "10-20 on Main Street")
• 10-33: Emergency, all units stand by
• 10-7: Out of service (going off duty or vehicle not operational)
• 10-8: In service, available for duty
• 10-1: Poor reception
• 10-27: Request driver's license information

11-codes and signals

• 11-99 or 10-999: Officer needs help or officer down
• 11-80: Traffic accident with injuries
• 11-41: Ambulance needed
• 11-24: Abandoned automobile
• Signal 05: Need backup

Police jargon and slang

Law enforcement terminology includes various nicknames and slang terms used by police officers:

• Berries and cherries: Police car flashing lights
• Ghetto bird: Police helicopter
• Bailed out: Subject jumping out of a car and running
• Been made: Undercover officer's identity revealed
• Dix: Detectives

Phonetic alphabet

Police officers use a phonetic alphabet to spell out words clearly over the radio:

• A: Alpha
• B: Bravo
• C: Charlie
• D: Delta
• E: Echo
• F: Foxtrot
• G: Golf

Common abbreviations in police code

• MVA: Motor Vehicle Accident
• DUI: Driving Under the Influence
• INJ: Injury
• WIT: Witness
• VEH: Vehicle
• LIC: License

Evolution of police communication systems

• Project 25 (P25) standard introduced in late 1980s enabled interagency interoperability
• Broadband connectivity brings advanced capabilities like video-on-demand and real-time data analytics
• FirstNet, a nationwide broadband LTE network dedicated to public safety, was established in 2012

FAQ

What is the connection between Hawaii and the term '5-0'?

The term '5-0' originated from the TV show 'Hawaii Five-O', where 'Five-O' referred to Hawaii being the 50th state of the USA.

How did '5-0' become a popular nickname for police?

The popularity of the TV show 'Hawaii Five-O' led to the widespread adoption of '5-0' as slang for police across America.

Is there a real police force called Five-O?

No, there isn't a real police force called Five-O. The term originated from a fictional police unit in the TV show 'Hawaii Five-O'.

Are there other common nicknames for police officers?

Yes, other common nicknames include 'cops', 'the fuzz', 'pigs', and 'the heat'. These vary by region and cultural context.

Why do some people use '5-0' as a warning about police presence?

People use '5-0' as a quick, coded way to alert others about police presence. It's become a widely recognized slang term for police.