a police record

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a police record" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an official document that contains information about a person's criminal history or interactions with law enforcement. Example: "After the incident, he was concerned that a police record would affect his job prospects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A police record.

The New York Times - Magazine

He has a police record and says he's from California.

The New York Times

Moustafai had a police record for "petty theft" it was reported but he was never jailed.

Independent

They will also know whether Mr. No. 1 Pick has a police record.

The New York Times - Sports

It was, his father admitted, "a bonehead move," but not reason for a police record.

The New York Times

No, he had a police record and could not have joined the Navy.

The New Yorker

But unlike Mr. Combs, Mary J. Blige or Courtney Love, she doesn't have a police record or an attitude problem.

The New York Times - Style

He acquires a police record, eventually including as many as nine arrests, most of them for driving while impaired.

The New York Times - Books

Over the years, Vaughn compiled a police record that included arrests for disorderly conduct, public intoxication and marijuana possession.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sanjit did have a police record: In 1999, when he was 13, he had signed up with the PLA.

The Guardian

But they were looking at references to him in other files, and he did have a police record, it emerged.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential employment, be mindful of the legal implications of inquiring about or acting upon information related to "a police record". Many jurisdictions have laws restricting such practices.

Common error

Be precise when using the phrase "a police record". It may contain arrests that did not lead to convictions. Avoid implying guilt based solely on the existence of "a police record".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a police record" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig examples show it describing someone's documented history with law enforcement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a police record" is a common noun phrase referring to an individual's documented history with law enforcement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts. It's crucial to use this phrase accurately, distinguishing between arrests and convictions. When writing about it, be aware of potential legal sensitivities, particularly in employment-related discussions. Alternative phrases like "criminal history" or "arrest record" can offer more specific connotations. The high frequency of this phrase in news and media underscores its relevance in current affairs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

criminal history

Focuses on the history of criminal actions, omitting the specific connection to police involvement.

arrest record

Highlights the record of arrests, potentially including cases that did not result in convictions.

criminal record

Broader term encompassing all documented criminal activity, including arrests, convictions, and other interactions with the legal system.

history of arrests

Emphasizes past arrest incidents, regardless of the outcomes.

record of convictions

Specifically refers to instances where a person was found guilty of a crime.

prior offenses

Highlights previous violations of the law, often in a legal or formal context.

previous criminal activity

A more general way to describe a person's past involvement in crime.

rap sheet

An informal term for a detailed record of a person's interactions with law enforcement.

official law enforcement record

Stresses the official nature and connection to law enforcement agencies.

history with the police

A general way to describe a person's past interactions with law enforcement

FAQs

How is "a police record" used in a sentence?

The phrase "a police record" typically refers to an official documentation of someone's interactions with law enforcement, such as arrests or convictions. For example: "The applicant was denied employment due to "a police record".".

What's another way to say "a police record"?

Alternatives for "a police record" include "criminal history", "arrest record", or "criminal record", depending on the specific information you want to convey.

Does "a police record" only include convictions?

No, "a police record" can include arrests, charges, and other interactions with law enforcement, even if they did not result in a conviction. A "record of convictions" refers specifically to instances where someone has been found guilty of a crime.

Is it legal to ask about "a police record" during a job interview?

Laws vary by jurisdiction. Some places restrict employers from asking about "a police record" until later stages of the hiring process, or from considering certain types of records (e.g., arrests without convictions) at all. Check local regulations to ensure compliance.