From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpolicepo‧lice1 /pəˈliːs/ ●●● S1 W1 noun [plural] 1 SCPBOthe people who work for an official organization whose job is to catch criminals and make sure that people obey the law Police surrounded the courthouse.2 → the police → military police, secret policeGRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?• Police is a plural noun and is followed by a plural verb: The police are investigating the case. ✗Don’t say: The police is investigating the case. • When talking about someone who works for the police, you say a police officer, a policeman, or a policewoman. ✗Don’t say: a policeCOLLOCATIONS – Meanings 1 & 2verbscall the policeStaff called the police when they noticed a broken window.tell the police (also inform the police formal)I think we should tell the police.report something to the policeWhy are so many crimes not reported to the police?the police investigate somethingSussex Police are investigating a break-in at the club.the police catch somebodyThe police are no nearer to catching his killer.the police arrest somebody/make an arrestThe police arrested Mr Fox as he tried to leave the country.Officer Singer said the police have made no arrests in the robbery.the police question/interview somebodyPolice are questioning two men about the deaths.the police charge somebody (=officially say that someone will be judged in a court for committing a crime)The police have charged the parents with murder.the police hold somebody (also the police detain somebody formal) (=keep them at a police station)The police can hold suspects for up to 48 hours without charge.The police detained several activists, but released them after questioning.the police release somebodyThe police released William and all charges were dropped.the police appeal for somethingPolice are appealing for witnesses to the attack.the police raid/storm a placeThe police raided his home and took his computer.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + policearmed policeArmed police surrounded the house.uniformed policeUniformed police and plain clothes detectives were present in large numbers.riot policeRiot police moved in with tear gas.traffic police British EnglishTraffic police closed the motorway after the accident.police + NOUNa police investigationDespite a police investigation, no arrests were made.a police raid (=a surprise visit made by the police to search for something illegal)Six people were arrested in a police raid on the bar.a police escort (=a police officer or officers that go with someone to guard or protect them)The teams will parade through the city with a police escort.a police cordon (=a line of police officers who are preventing people going somewhere)The demonstrators tried to break through a police cordon.the police forceHer son is in the police force.a police officerThe police officer asked to see his driving licence.a police station (=building where the police work)They took him down to the police station to ask him some questions.a police carThe men were being followed by an unmarked police car.a police dogPolice dogs were used to catch the thieves.police brutality/harassment (=when the police hit or threaten people)He claims to have witnessed many instances of police brutality.THESAURUSpeople in the policepolice officer (also officer) a member of the police. In British English, police officer is used especially in more formal contexts, for example in news reports. In everyday English, British people still usually say policeman or policewomana senior police officerHe was sentenced to life in prison for killing a police officer.He is the officer in charge of the case.Officer Fayard (=in the US ‘Officer’ is used in the title of police officers)policeman a man who is a member of the policean off-duty policemanHe’s a former policeman.policewoman a woman who is a member of the policeThe girl, accompanied by a policewoman and two social workers, was seen in private by Sheriff George Crozier. PC/WPC abbreviation used in the job titles of British police officers. PC means ‘Police Constable’ and WPC means ‘Woman Police Constable’PC Keith FletcherWPC Susan Larkindetective a police officer whose job is to discover who is responsible for crimesDetectives are investigating the death of a baby boy.Detective Inspector John Hartwellplain-clothes adjective a plain-clothes police officer wears ordinary clothes instead of a uniformTwo plain-clothes police officers, acting as hotel security men, kept watch on him. constable a British police officer of the lowest ranka police constableConstable Robin Cameronchief constable a senior police officer who is in charge of the police in a particular area in Britainthe chief constable of North Yorkshire policecop informal a police officerYou’d better call the cops.trooper a US police officer in a state police forcea New Jersey state trooper
Examples from the Corpus
police• He specialized in finding stolen luxury cars, developing excellent contacts with both police and criminals.• But she turned up safe and well at dawn when she walked into a mobile police station just yards away.• Rotating law enforcement officers is a textbook concept straight out of police administration 101.• In the last few days, you may have seen a horrifying video of police armed with Q-tips instead of batons.• Despite a strong police presence, 100 protesters had gathered on the Grand Canal opposite the hotel where Haider was staying.• In Mrs Clark's case she did beat the tender, but the police appealed the decision.• Their numbers have dropped since five of them left to take up regular positions in the police force.• On Monday, both men finally surrendered to police.• Mendoza told police that they were abducted by Aguirre in Oakland on Oct. 10.policepolice2 ●○○ verb [transitive] 1 SCPSCPto keep control over a particular area in order to make sure that laws are obeyed and that people and property are protected, using a police or military force The army was brought in to police the city centre.2 SCLCONTROLto control a particular activity or industry by making sure that people follow the correct rules for what they do The agency was set up to police the nuclear power industry. → policing→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
police• Lower standards of public health, education and policing?• The five security zones are policed by U.N. forces.• They are never forceful enough in condemning bad policing that is a disgrace to the republic and to the rule of law.• So, according to the Haig-Grafen theory, crossing over polices the division of chromosomes to keep it fair.• All campers are required to police their campsite before they leave.From Longman Business Dictionarypolicepo‧lice /pəˈliːs/ verb [transitive] to control a particular activity or industry by making sure that people follow the correct rulesSYNREGULATEThe agency was set up to police the nuclear power industry.→ See Verb tableOrigin police1 (1400-1500) French Late Latin politia “government”, from polites; → POLITIC 