🏷️Unit Numbering

Callsign Format

Each member of the department has a unique and distinct callsign used for identification. Every callsign consists of 4 elements, each with a specific purpose:

• First Digit: Indicates the operating area of the unit.

• Letter: Identifies the unit type.

• Dash: Separates the two halves of the callsigns; can be omitted.

• Last 2 Digits: A random number used to identify the unit that can be chosen.

In other words, the format of the callsigns is as follows: [DIGIT][LETTER]-[DIGIT][DIGIT]

For example, 1A-11, 6L-21, or 2Q-87 are all valid callsigns.

Operating Areas

At the start of each shift, the Watch Commander assigns each unit to a specific patrol area. The first letter of the callsign changes depending on the assigned area. Below is a table showing the corresponding numbers for each area along with a map for reference.

Area	Number
Downtown	1
South Central	2
East LA	3
Hollywood	4
Venice	5
LAX	6

Los Angeles map with operating areas and their respective number

Unit Types

The letter in the callsign serves to identify the unit type, which varies based on the unit's role or specialization. Below is a table showing the corresponding letter for each unit type.

Description	Letter	Phonetic Alphabet
Two-man patrol car	A	Adam
Bicycle Detail	C	Charles
Air support	D	David
Foot patrol	F	Frank
Investigation detective	K	King
One-man patrol car	L	Lincoln
Motorcycle unit	M	Mary
Narcotics unit	N	Nora
Special events	Q	Queen
Traffic enforcement	T	Tom
UCLA campus unit	U	Union
Vice squad	V	Victor
Investigation detective	W	William
SWAT unit	X	X-ray
Unmarked patrol car	Z	Zebra

For example, the callsign of a one-man unit assigned to the Hollywood area would be "4A-21", the callsign of a vice squad unit assigned to the East LA area would be "3V-13", and so on.

The last two digits of each callsign can be randomly chosen by the unit, as long as the number is not already in use by another unit, no matter if the operating area or unit type is different.