Police code for robbery is commonly 211 in California code references. If you are looking for the meaning behind the number, this page gives the plain-English version first.
It is a legal-code reference more than a radio-response code, so the safest reading is to treat it as a California-specific shorthand unless local context says otherwise.
For the numbered reference, compare 211 with the broader California Penal Codes guide and the Police Codes Guide.
The common police code for robbery
The most common answer is 211. In California-related context, 211 is commonly associated with robbery.
Because it is a legal-reference number, readers should think of it as a statute-style shorthand rather than a universal radio code used everywhere in the same way.
What 211 usually means
211 is widely recognized in California discussions as a robbery reference. It may appear in scanner traffic, headlines, or public safety notes when the subject is theft by force or a similar robbery-related event.
Outside that context, the meaning can become less clear, which is why the state-specific guide matters here.
How it may be used in scanner or public safety context
Scanner listeners often hear 211 when a robbery is being reported or discussed. In that setting, the number acts as shorthand for a legal reference that many readers immediately recognize.
If you need the legal meaning for current use, check current California law or current agency materials rather than relying on a cached internet definition.
Related codes
Because 211 is tied to California legal reference language, the phrase can be better understood with state context than with a generic nationwide code list.
FAQ
Is 211 used everywhere?
No. It is most strongly associated with California code references and may not mean the same thing in other places.
Is 211 a scanner code or legal code?
It is primarily a legal-code reference that may also be heard in scanner or public safety context.
Is robbery the same as burglary?
No. They are different offenses and have different common code references.
Where can I check the current legal meaning?
Use current California law or current agency materials for legal certainty.