police task force

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "police task force" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specialized unit within a police department that is organized to address specific types of crime or law enforcement issues. Example: "The police task force was established to combat drug trafficking in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

He was arrested by a police task force.

The New York Times

There is still a police task force that meets occasionally to discuss the Zodiac case.

The New York Times

An elite police task force in Johannesburg deals with the big stuff, including hostage rescues, drug raids and kidnappings.

The New York Times

"Six people were killed in similar murders to those in Dogo Nahawa," said Kingsley Umoh, spokesman for a special military and police task force in the region.

The New York Times

He said that with the planned police task force, black communities faced the prospect of "an occupying force or no police presence at all".

The New York Times

Rather than step in directly as the human rights council had urged, however, President Fernando Henrique Cardoso decided to send a police task force.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

The best known of the police task forces got the nickname Ghostbusters.

The New York Times

Unlike the two younger women, whose disappearances inspired vigils, posters and police task forces, Ms. Knight received much less attention, apparently because the police regarded her as a runaway.

The New York Times

In the meantime, the schools have been assigned additional safety officers, one or two extra police officers, as well as help from existing police task forces.

The New York Times

In the meantime, each school received one or two additional police officers, and yesterday, the schools were flooded with other officers from existing police task forces.

The New York Times

A call for better data collection on this subject also featured prominently among the recommendations made by Barack Obama's task force on 21st century policing task force.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "police task force", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific focus or purpose of the task force to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "police task force" as a generic term for any group of police officers. Specify the task force's area of responsibility or specialization to provide clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "police task force" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific type of organized police unit as shown by Ludwig. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "police task force" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to a specialized unit within a police department. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for use. Analysis of its usage reveals it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating its role in reporting on law enforcement activities. While variations exist, understanding the specific focus of the "police task force" enhances clarity in communication. Using alternative phrases like "law enforcement unit" or "special police unit" can provide additional context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

law enforcement task group

A more formal synonym for police task force.

police special force

Similar to "police task force" but places emphasis on the force aspect of police work.

special police unit

Emphasizes the specialized nature of the unit's function.

law enforcement unit

Broader term, referring to any organized group within law enforcement.

police squad

Highlights the team-based structure of the group.

joint task force

Indicates a task force composed of members of different organizations.

investigative team

Focuses on the investigative function of the group.

special operations group

Suggests a focus on high-risk or specialized operations.

rapid response team

Indicates a focus on quick deployment and response to incidents.

organized crime unit

Refers specifically to units that tackle organized crime.

FAQs

What is a "police task force"?

A "police task force" is a specialized unit within a police department formed to address specific types of crime or law enforcement issues. They often handle complex or high-priority cases.

What can I say instead of "police task force"?

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

How is a "police task force" different from a regular police unit?

A "police task force" typically has a specific, often temporary, mission and is composed of officers with particular expertise, while a regular police unit handles general law enforcement duties.

When is it appropriate to use the term "police task force" in writing?

Use "police task force" when you want to emphasize the specialized and focused nature of a particular group of police officers working on a specific problem or case.