police unit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "police unit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific division or group within a police department that is responsible for a particular function or area of law enforcement. Example: "The police unit specializing in cybercrime has made significant progress in recent investigations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There is no singular army or police unit.

The New Yorker

Officers from a specialized police unit descended on the church.

The New York Times

Britain has a special police unit dedicated to tackling football hooliganism.

The Economist

Eventually an armed police unit came and rescued them, leading them out of the building.

The Guardian

Nowadays, Mr Dennehy is based full-time on the estate, as is a special police unit.

The Economist

He now heads a police unit responsible for crowd control at professional games in Maranhão.

The New York Times - Sports

The United Nations officers, most from a Senegalese police unit, vehemently refused.

The New York Times

The police unit responsible for fighting the drug dealers is constantly impeded by other security services.

The Economist

Had the attackers infiltrated the police unit, or was this a conflict between police officers?

The New York Times

In 2010, Catt used the Data Protection Act to obtain documents from the secretive police unit.

The Guardian

Freedom Charity contacts a Metropolitan police unit that deals with sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more descriptive terms like "special police squad" or "law enforcement division" to provide greater context about the unit's function.

Common error

Avoid using "police unit" when referring to the entire police force of a city or region; use "police department" or "police force" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "police unit" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a specific, organized group within a larger law enforcement agency. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "police unit" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase to refer to a specific group of officers within a larger police force. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, but primarily in news and media. When using this term, it's essential to distinguish it from more general terms like "police department" or "police force", using more descriptive terms when more context is needed, such as "special police squad". Remember to avoid overgeneralization by checking out the writing guidance section.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

law enforcement agency

More formal and general, referring to any organization responsible for enforcing laws.

police force

Refers to the entire body of police officers in a specific area or country.

special police squad

Emphasizes the specialized nature of the unit and its tasks.

police task force

Highlights that the unit is formed for a specific task or operation.

law enforcement division

More formal, indicating a specific branch within a larger law enforcement organization.

police detail

A small group of officers assigned to a particular duty.

police detachment

A group of police officers sent away from their main unit for a specific mission.

security detail

Focuses on the protective aspect of the unit's work.

constabulary

A more traditional term for a police force, often used in specific regions or countries.

police patrol

Refers to a smaller, mobile group of officers responsible for patrolling an area.

FAQs

How can I use "police unit" in a sentence?

You can use "police unit" to refer to a specific group within a police department, such as "The anti-gang "police unit" was deployed to the area".

What are some alternatives to "police unit"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "law enforcement agency", "police force", or "special police squad".

Is it correct to say "police unit" or should I use another term?

"Police unit" is a correct and commonly used term. Its suitability depends on the context; it's most appropriate when referring to a specific, organized group within a larger police organization.

What is the difference between "police unit" and "police department"?

"Police unit" refers to a specific division or group within a larger organization, while "police department" refers to the entire organization responsible for law enforcement in a particular area.