a police problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a police problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an issue or situation that requires the attention or intervention of law enforcement. Example: "The rise in local crime rates has become a significant police problem that needs to be addressed urgently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"What a police problem!

The New Yorker

I don't think it is fair to say this is just a police problem.

The New York Times

"It is not a police problem or a government problem or a poor people's problem or a Canberra problem.

The Guardian

She thinks race is overblown as a police problem, but will not watch "The Sopranos," the television series on the Mafia, because she feels it is biased against Italian-Americans.

The New York Times

Mr. Pastrana said the United States had come a long way from viewing the drug traffic as merely "a police problem" and to understanding it as a social disease that requires a multipronged effort to resolve.

The New York Times

The airport security challenge is no longer "a police problem -- it's an industrial engineering problem," said Louis A. Turpen, the president and chief executive of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

This is a policing problem and we need a policing solution".

The Guardian

The authorities' goal of turning organised crime into a policing problem, rather than a threat to national security, remains a distant one.Some progress, especially in policing, can come through better administration.

The Economist

Drug use will be viewed more as a public health problem, he said, rather than just a policing problem, and federal agents will no longer raid medical-marijuana dispensaries in the 13 states where voters have approved them.

The New York Times

In his own press conference on Monday, with Bolton sitting just behind him, Trump briefly pulled back from his own rage over the F.B.I. raid of his lawyer's office to frame Syria as a policing problem.

The New Yorker

TEN YEARS OF TRANSFORMATION 2. (C) Following the death of his father, Emir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa in 1999, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa inherited a country torn by sectarian violence and accustomed to dealing with the Shia majority 5nderclass as a policing problem.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a police problem", ensure the context clearly defines the specific issue law enforcement is dealing with. For example, "The rise in cybercrime is becoming a significant police problem."

Common error

Avoid using "a police problem" as a vague or catch-all term. Instead, specify the exact nature of the problem to provide clarity and focus. For instance, instead of saying "The city has a police problem", specify "The city has a problem with increasing gang violence that the police are struggling to control".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a police problem" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific issue or challenge that requires law enforcement attention, as seen in Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a police problem" is a commonly used noun phrase that identifies an issue or challenge requiring law enforcement intervention. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a neutral register, frequently appearing in news and media contexts. While generally acceptable, it’s crucial to use the phrase with specificity, avoiding overly broad applications. For clearer communication, consider related phrases such as ""a law enforcement challenge"" or ""a policing issue"" to better convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a policing issue

Uses "policing" as a gerund, focusing on the act of law enforcement.

a law enforcement challenge

Replaces "police" with "law enforcement," broadening the scope of the issue.

a law and order issue

Highlights the breakdown or maintenance of legal structures.

a challenge for law enforcement

Focuses on the difficulty faced by law enforcement agencies.

a crime-related problem

Specifies that the problem is directly related to criminal activity.

an issue requiring police attention

Emphasizes the need for the police to address the problem.

a matter for the police

Indicates the police are the appropriate authority to handle the situation.

a public safety concern

Shifts focus to the broader implications for the community.

a community safety problem

Highlights impact on the community.

a security issue

Broadens the context to overall safety and protection.

FAQs

How can I use "a police problem" in a sentence?

You can use "a police problem" to describe an issue or challenge that requires the attention or intervention of law enforcement. For example, "Drug trafficking has become a serious "a police problem" in the region".

What are some alternatives to "a police problem"?

Alternatives include "a law enforcement challenge", "a policing issue", or "a public safety concern", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a police problem" or should I use another term?

The phrase "a police problem" is grammatically correct and commonly used. However, you might consider alternatives like "a law and order issue" or "a crime-related problem" for greater precision.

What's the difference between "a police problem" and "a policing problem"?

"A police problem" typically refers to a specific issue that police are tasked with addressing. "A policing problem" focuses more on the methods and strategies used in law enforcement. For example, corruption within the force is "a policing problem".