Why Are Police Called "12" and "Pigs"?
Why Are Police Called "12" and "Pigs"? A Look at Slang, History, and Culture. Slang has always played a role in shaping how society views authority, and few terms are more controversial than "pigs" and "12" when referring to the police. Both phrases carry deep, complex histories spanning decades and continents, evolving through protest movements, pop culture, and regional street talk. But where did these terms actually come from? Why are they still used today? And what do they really say about the relationship between law enforcement and the public?
"Pigs" A Derogatory Phrase With English Roots
The derogatory term “pigs” as slang for police officers didn’t just appear out of nowhere. According to historians, the insult dates back to 19th century England, where “pig” was used more generally to describe someone disliked or morally corrupt. Over time, it became a targeted insult aimed at law enforcement.
“The term gained prominence in the United States during the 1960s,” explains one cultural commentator. “Protesters opposing the Vietnam War, particularly groups like the Yippies, used the word ‘pigs’ to express their disdain for police crackdowns on demonstrations.”
One of the most iconic incidents occurred during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, when Yippies paraded a pig named Pigasus as a satirical presidential candidate. After police intervened, protestors began chanting “pigs” at the officers, an event that was splashed across national news headlines.
Media coverage helped cement the term in anti-establishment culture. Adult animations like Fritz the Cat (1972) and underground magazines like Oz used pig imagery to mock police, further popularizing the term across English-speaking countries. Even video games like Duke Nukem 3D featured "pig cops" as villainous figures.
Over time, the phrase spread into punk, hip-hop, metalhead, goth, biker, and mobster circles. And while many view it as purely derogatory, some American officers have attempted to reclaim the word.
“Some of us turned PIG into an acronym for Pride, Integrity, and Guts,” said one retired officer.
The Black Panther Party’s Perspective
The Revolutionary Black Panther Party had its own interpretation. They once defined a "pig" as "an ill-natured beast who has no respect for law and order, a foul traducer who's usually found masquerading as a victim on an unprovoked attack.”
This framing reveals the deep mistrust and hostility that existed, and is perceived to still exist in some communities. It's also a reminder that words like pigs don’t just reflect slang and they are not always accurate.
Regardless of the origins or justifications people may cite for using the word “pig” to describe police officers, it’s important to pause and reflect on what that really means. Slang can be powerful, but so can its consequences. Dehumanizing someone based solely on their occupation, regardless of personal beliefs or experiences, only serves to deepen division and strip away the complexity of individual identity. Before repeating these terms, we should all ask ourselves: What are we really trying to say, and at what cost?
What About "12"? Why Are Police Called That?
If you’ve scrolled through Facebook, seen posts on Instagram, or listened to a podcast lately, you’ve probably heard people refer to the police as “12.” But where does this term come from?
That question has sparked plenty of debate. According to a post on News Talk 1450 Radio, “12 comes from the police radio code ‘10-12,’ which means that visitors are present in the area.” In this context, yelling “12!” could be a warning, essentially saying “Cops are coming!”
Still, not everyone agrees.
“I decided to ask the internet and ChatGPT,” said the host of Law Enforcement Talk Radio, a show now streaming as a free podcast on their website, in addition to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most major podcast platforms. “ChatGPT told me there’s no definitive origin. Slang varies by region.”
Indeed, in Baltimore, police have historically been called “5-0” or “Knockers”, not “12.” Meanwhile, in Atlanta and other parts of the southern United States, “12” is the go-to slang term for law enforcement.
Some trace the term back to the classic TV show Adam-12, which aired from 1968 to 1975. The show followed two LAPD officers and popularized the police radio call “1-Adam-12.” As a result, many believe “12” stuck in the public consciousness as shorthand for the police.
“Is it from Adam-12? Is it from narcotics units in the ‘60s? No one really knows for sure,” noted one pop culture historian. “It’s probably a mix of everything.”
A Code, A Warning, or Just a Way to Fit In?
Others suggest “12” may have come from the drug culture of the 60s and 70s, where narcotics officers were given the moniker as a coded warning during illegal deals. Over time, it spilled into hip-hop and street lingo. But as with many slang terms, origin stories often become murky and inconsistent.
“What’s more likely,” one radio guest pointed out, “is that people hear others use the term ‘12’ and say it to fit in. It’s not about accuracy, it’s about identity.”
Slang That Reflects Society
Whether you hear someone use “pigs,” “12,” “5-0,” or another phrase, these slang terms tell a story far bigger than simple insult. They reflect history, regional dialects, cultural movements, and the often-complicated relationship between citizens and police.
As one officer put it: “You can call me what you want. I know who I am. But it does make you wonder what’s behind the words people choose.”
For more deep dives into the culture, language, and life behind the badge, follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast for free, also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or their official website. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and all major social media platforms for the latest news and interviews.
Attributions
John J Wiley
Radio Show Host and Producer
Retired from the Baltimore Police Department at the rank of Sergeant. He was retired early due a permanent line of duty injury that occurred during an act of violence. The injury resulted in 3 surgeries, two steel plates and a fusion of his right wrist and thumb.
About 8 years after retiring from police work, he began a career in the audio broadcasting space. Starting with "audio-blogs" in 1999. Which progressed into a brokered once a week radio show and then led to broadcasting school.
After graduating he has been a full time FM radio personality and launched the Law Enforcement Today Show as a podcast in March of 2017. This was in a partnership with Law Enforcement Today's Robert Greenberg. The show was quickly recruited by radio and is a nationally syndicated radio show, broadcasting weekly on many US Radio Stations to millions of people.
The partnership with them ended in the Summer of 2023 and the show was renamed the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast.
The radio show is syndicated by Talk Media Network. Go to the Radio Page of the site for more information.
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