police

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "police" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to law enforcement agencies or officers responsible for maintaining public order and safety. Example: "The police arrived quickly to handle the situation and ensure everyone's safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And, parts of London, there are actually Muslim religious police that actually beat and actually wound seriously anyone who doesn't dress according to religious Muslim attire.

The Guardian

Police are still investigating threats to kill Hall, reportedly linked to his decision to axe Clarkson.

The Guardian

The case has already been referred to the police ombudsman but, as the first minister has said, we should have a full, independent examination of the whole operation of this scheme.

The Guardian

Police and paramedics boarded our train because there is no air conditioning.

The Guardian

Police have said it's too dangerous to walk down the track".

The Guardian

In October, Freeman carried out a protest by standing on a Winston Churchill statue in Parliament Square in London in a 28-hour standoff with police.

The Guardian

Gray died a week after he was arrested on 12 April, then handcuffed and shackled in the back of a police van without a seatbelt.

The Guardian

Northern Ireland secretary John Reid has until Saturday night to find a compromise between Sinn Fein and David Trimble's Ulster Unionists on decommissioning, police reform and demilitarisation, or again suspend the assembly (either indefinitely or for six weeks) or call fresh elections.

The Guardian

They have refused requests from the police negotiators to leave the balcony".

The Guardian

A police investigation was launched into the data issues.

The Guardian

"I climbed on to the balcony and then I called the police.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about interactions with the "police", be specific about the agency or type of officer involved (e.g. "state troopers", "local police", "federal agents") to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "police" as a singular noun when referring to an individual officer. Instead, use "police officer" or "officer."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "police" is as a plural noun, referring to a law enforcement agency or a group of officers. However, according to Ludwig, it can also function as a verb, meaning to enforce or regulate. For instance, "They police the area regularly."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "police" is a very common noun used to refer to law enforcement agencies or officers. According to Ludwig, it also functions as a verb, referring to enforcing rules or standards. It is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media. When writing, remember that "police" is a plural noun and requires a plural verb. For instance, "the police are investigating". Alternative phrases include "law enforcement" or "the authorities". A Madison "police department" spokesman, Joel DeSpain, told the Guardian that the chief of police, Mike Koval, went to visit Robinson's family the night of the shooting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

law enforcement

Replaces "police" with a more formal term.

police force

Emphasizes the organizational aspect of the "police".

the authorities

Refers to "police" as a governing body.

officers of the law

Highlights the role of "police" in upholding the law.

peace officers

A more specific term for "police" in some regions.

constabulary

A British term for "police".

law enforcement agency

A more descriptive alternative to "police".

cops

A common, informal term for "police officers".

detectives

Refers specifically to "police" who investigate crimes.

the fuzz

An informal, slang term for "police".

FAQs

How can I use the word "police" in a sentence?

You can use "police" as a noun to refer to a law enforcement agency, as in "Call the police!" or as a verb, meaning to patrol or enforce regulations, such as "They police the area regularly."

What is a more formal way to say "police"?

A more formal alternative to "police" is "law enforcement" or "the authorities", especially when referring to the institution rather than individual officers.

Which is correct: "the police is" or "the police are"?

"The police are" is correct. "Police" is a plural noun, referring to a group of officers. Therefore, it takes a plural verb form.

What's the difference between "police" and "police officer"?

"Police" refers to the law enforcement agency or the collective group of officers. A "police officer" is an individual member of that agency.