It’s HAD Day! (Happy Acronym Day)
“Yep, it’s an ABLE BOLO for a WM. Yes, A/B, well, really it was a case of ABWIK during a B&E. You know, I think the guy’s a SO, too.”
Have a little trouble following that sentence? Well, don’t feel bad. Even the experts can’t keep up with all the acronyms used by the various law enforcement agencies across the country. So, I’ve compiled a short list of them to help you better understand that aspect of cop speak. (Remember, these may differ from agency to agency. Always check with the authorities in the area where your story is set).
ABLE – Airborne Law Enforcement
AAG – Assistant Attorney General
ABH – Actual Bodily Harm
A/B – Assault and Battery
ABH – Actual Bodily Harm
ABWIK – Assault and Battery With Intent to Kill
ACHILD – Abandoned Child
ACU – Animal Control Unit
ADW – Assault with a Deadly Weapon or Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
AEW – Airborne Early Warning
AFTE – Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners
AKA – Also Known As
ALS – Alternate Light Source
ASU – Air Support Unit
ATL – Attempt To Locate
BAC – Blood Alcohol Concentration
BAU – Behavioral Analysis Unit
BCA – Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
BCI – Bureau of Criminal Identification or Bureau of Criminal Investigation
BDU – Bomb Disposal Unit
B/E – Breaking and Entering
BEO – Bicycle Enforcement Officer
BLS – Basic Life Support
BOLO – Be On the Lookout (Not APB!)
BOP – Bureau of Prisons
BRD – Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
CART – Child Abduction Response Team
CBPE – Certified Bloodstain Pattern Examiner
CBR – Chemical, Biological, and Radiological
CCF – Citizen Complaint Form
CCSI – Certified Crime Scene Investigator
CDE – Certified Document Examiner
CFN – Criminal File Number
CHINS – Child in Need of Services
CID – Criminal Investigation Department, or Criminal Investigation Division
CLT – Crime Laboratory Technician
CO – Commanding Officer or Correctional Officer
CWP – Concealed Weapon Permit
DA – District Attorney, or Domestic Assault
DARE – Drug Abuse Resistance Education
DARPA – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
DB – Dead Body
DBV – Dog Bite Victim
DC – Death Certificate
DCJS – Department of Criminal Justice Services
DIP – Drunk In Public
DL – Driver’s License
DNR – Do Not Resuscitate
DUID – Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
DW – Dangerous Weapon
FEL – Felony
FLETC – Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
FOP – Fraternal Order of Police
GBH – Grievous Bodily Harm
GDC – General District Court
GL – Grand Larceny
GM – Gang Member
GNG – Gang-Related
GSR – Gunshot Residue
GSW – Gunshot Wound
HAZMAT – Hazardous Materials
HME – Home-Made Explosives
HO – Habitual Offender
IAD – Internal Affairs Division
IAU – Internal Affairs Unit
IBIS – Integrated Ballistic Identification System
IBR – Incident-Based Reporting
ICD – In-Custody Death
JDC – Juvenile Detention Center
JPO – Juvenile Probation Officer
JT – Jury Trial
K & R – Kidnap and Ransom
LKA – Last Known Address
LS – License Suspended
L/S – Lost/Stolen
LSA – Leaving the Scene of an Accident
OP – Life Without Possibility of Parole
MC – Medical Center
MCV – Mobile Command Vehicle
MDT – Mobile Data Terminal
Misd. – Misdemeanor
MU – Murder
NCIC – National Crime Information Center
NFI – No Further Information
NG – Not Guilty
NVG – Night Vision Goggles
OC – Oleoresin Capsicum (pepper spray)
OIC – Officer in Charge
OIG – Office of the Inspector General
OIS – Officer-Involved Shooting
OR – Released on Own Recognizance
PC – Passenger Car or Probable Cause
PCU – Property Crimes Unit
PEND – Charges Pending
PERK – Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (rape)
PIO – Public Information Officer
POB – Place Of Birth
POC – Point of Contact
POD – Place Of Death
POE – Port Of Entry
POI – Person Of Interest
RLSD – Released
SMT – Scars, Marks, Tattoos, and other characteristics
S/N – Serial Number
SO – Sex Offender or Sheriff’s Office
TF – Task Force
TOD – Time Of Death
TS – Top Secret
UC – Under Cover
UF – Use of Force
V/C – Victim / Complainant
Fantastic info! I’m saving a copy to my notes folder. 🙂
O M G Love this stuff. No one knows why =D
L A L Ladies of Abraham Lincoln ?
Another week with next to no internet, trying to catch up !
Okay, I got here late. What is L.A.L.?
I’m copying these for my file. I love Acronyms!
Just as well. 🙂
I guess no one is going to ask about LAL, Dave…
Me, too, Dave. Just think, there are hundreds more.
Wow, Lee.
That’s really an L.A.L.
I recognized about 16-17 of them.