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police force
noun
: a body of trained officers entrusted by a government with maintenance of public peace and order, enforcement of laws, and prevention and detection of crime
Synonyms
Examples of police force in a Sentence
He joined the local police force.
mobilized practically the entire police force to track down the escaped criminal
Recent Examples on the Web
The post is correct in asserting that directives are not laws and that the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act generally bars the military from acting as a domestic police force.
—Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
Protests of police brutality in 2020, sparked by the murder of George Floyd, prompted questions in Austin, as in most American cities, about the city's relationship with its police force.
—Asher Price, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024
Charlie is actually Lois' doctor in the hospital, while Megan is a detective who works with Lois in the police force.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024
The result was the disastrous budgets of the past two years that have rewarded the unions, ignored the $100 million-plus structural deficit and continued to leave the city with a badly understaffed police force.
—East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 12 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1820, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near police force
Cite this Entry
“Police force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/police%20force. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
police force
noun
: a body of officers trained and entrusted by a government to keep public peace, enforce laws, and prevent and detect crime
Legal Definition
police force
noun
: a body of trained officers entrusted by a government with maintenance of public peace and order, enforcement of laws, and prevention and detection of crime
More from Merriam-Webster on police force
Britannica English: Translation of police force for Arabic Speakers
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