police squad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "police squad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific group or unit within a police department that is assigned to a particular task or function. Example: "The police squad was dispatched to investigate the recent string of burglaries in the neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He thanked the military police squad," Maj Gen Caldwell said.

The Guardian

Demonstrators burned six businesses and a police squad car.

The Guardian

It contained a police squad car, positioned strategically close to the shop entrance.

Independent

The Naked Gun franchise had its origins in the short-lived 1982 TV show Police Squad.

The Guardian

In mid-October of this year, a police squad was dispatched to the palace.

The New Yorker

Three years later, when we were visiting Times Square, we happened upon a police squad car.

The New York Times

There is a three-year-old anti-drug police squad with just 25 members.

The New York Times

Acquaintance came upon him on Centre St., sitting on mudguard of parked car, watching police squad fix loosened overhead sign.

The New Yorker

In January, he got a call from an elite police squad in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul.

The New York Times

Frank Drebin, Mr. Nielsen's character in the "Police Squad" franchise, than the battered paladins of law enforcement he was lampooning.

The New York Times

It was a rare success and a joint operation by the army, paramilitary rangers and Punjab's "elite" police squad.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "police squad" when referring to a distinct, organized unit within a police force assigned to a specific task or operation. It suggests a more structured and potentially specialized group than simply "police officers".

Common error

Avoid using "police squad" interchangeably with general terms like "police force" or "police department". "Police squad" refers to a specific unit, not the entire organization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "police squad" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific group or unit within a police department. Ludwig indicates that this term is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "police squad" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that refers to a specific unit within a police department. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use, primarily in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it is most suitable for identifying a team of law enforcement officers engaged in a particular operation. Alternative phrases like "police unit" or "law enforcement team" can be used for a more generic or formal tone. Avoid confusing it with broader terms like "police force" or "police department".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

police unit

Replaces "squad" with a more generic term for a police group.

law enforcement team

Uses broader terms to encompass the same concept.

special police unit

Emphasizes the specialized nature of the police group.

tactical police team

Highlights the tactical role of the group.

riot police

Specifically refers to police trained for crowd control.

SWAT team

Refers to a highly specialized police unit.

police detail

Implies a group assigned to a specific task.

police patrol

Focuses on routine police activity.

task force

Broader term for a team assembled for a specific purpose, potentially involving police.

flying squad

An older term for a mobile police unit, often for rapid response.

FAQs

How to use "police squad" in a sentence?

You can use "police squad" to refer to a specific group of officers assigned to a particular task, such as "The "police squad" was dispatched to the scene of the crime".

What can I say instead of "police squad"?

You can use alternatives like "police unit", "law enforcement team", or "special police unit" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "police squad" and "police force"?

Yes, "police squad" refers to a specific, smaller group within a larger "police force". The "police force" is the entire organization, while a "police squad" is a team within that organization.

When is it appropriate to use the term "SWAT team" instead of "police squad"?

"SWAT team" should be used when referring to a specialized police unit trained to handle high-risk situations. "Police squad" is a more generic term.