a police sergeant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a police sergeant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific rank within a police department or when discussing law enforcement roles. Example: "The investigation was led by a police sergeant who had years of experience in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A police sergeant confirmed Mr. Faye's account.

The New York Times

Then a police sergeant arrived.

The New York Times

Recently, Tal English, a police sergeant in Lubbock, administered a photo lineup.

The New Yorker

A police sergeant promised to look into the matter, but Ms. Cavanaugh remained exasperated.

The New York Times

A police sergeant confirmed that the woman fell from the ride.

The Guardian

He was describing a police sergeant who accidentally fired his weapon.

The New York Times

A police sergeant has denied assaulting a woman during G20 protests, writes Martha Linden.

Independent

Ramaphosa, the son of a police sergeant, was educated in Soweto schools.

The Guardian

Someone threw a bottle, hitting a police sergeant in the head, Officer Cillo said.

The New York Times

I made a police sergeant aware that the rendezvous point had been set up within Marks & Spencer.

Independent

Dec. 24 — A police sergeant shot and killed an American civilian adviser at police headquarters in Kabul.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about law enforcement, ensure you are using the correct rank and title to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "officer" and "sergeant" interchangeably. "Officer" is a general term, while "sergeant" denotes a specific supervisory rank.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a police sergeant" primarily functions as a noun phrase, identifying a person holding a specific rank within a police department. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a police sergeant" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to identify an individual holding a specific rank within law enforcement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for use in written English. Its usage is most prevalent in News & Media. When using the phrase, ensure accuracy in rank and avoid interchangeable use with broader terms like "officer". Consider alternatives such as "a police officer" or referring to the individual by name when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a police officer

Broader term referring to any member of the police force, not necessarily holding the rank of sergeant.

a law enforcement officer

A more formal and general term for someone working in law enforcement.

a patrol officer

Refers to an officer who patrols a specific area, typically a lower rank than sergeant.

a detective

An officer who investigates crimes, often working separately from patrol officers.

a police captain

A higher rank in the police department, overseeing multiple sergeants and officers.

the arresting officer

Specifically refers to the officer who made an arrest in a particular situation.

a member of the police force

A general way to refer to someone who works for the police.

a state trooper

Specifically refers to a state police officer, with potentially similar responsibilities.

a sheriff's deputy

An officer working for the sheriff's department, typically in a county rather than a city.

a constable

A peace officer with limited powers, typically in a rural area.

FAQs

How to use "a police sergeant" in a sentence?

You can use "a police sergeant" to describe someone holding that rank, for example, "A police sergeant arrived at the scene of the accident."

What can I say instead of "a police sergeant"?

You can use alternatives like "a police officer", "a law enforcement officer", or refer to them by name if known.

Which is correct, "a police sergeant" or "police sergeant"?

"A police sergeant" is generally preferred when introducing the individual or referring to them in a general sense. "Police Sergeant [Name]" is appropriate when using their name.

What's the role of "a police sergeant" in a police department?

A police sergeant typically supervises a team of officers, ensuring proper procedures are followed and providing guidance and support.