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

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 In turn, Miami-Dade can call on municipal police forces to help with county operations or events. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 And the country's police force – with fewer than 10,000 officers – is severely undermanned and outgunned, Salvador said. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2024 Levon Date – charged in the killing of a Canadian citizen in 2023 – escaped the courthouse after pushing past police officers during a requested bathroom break, Grenada's police force alleged at the press conference. Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024 As the police force has been defunded, retail stores have no police presence, nor a response for calls for help. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024 Both agencies are assisting in the case, and Clark was a longtime officer with the Athens-Clarke police before joining the campus police force. Wayne Ford, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2024 Meanwhile, Hamas has continued to put up stiff resistance across the territory, and its police force has returned to the streets in places where Israeli troops have pulled back. Matthew Lee, arkansasonline.com, 8 Feb. 2024 Zootopia was also first released in 2016, following the adventures of Officer Judy Hopps, the first bunny to break the glass ceiling on Zootopia's police force. Sari Hitchins, Parents, 8 Feb. 2024 Moreover, Washington must support police forces and court systems in Latin America by providing equipment, intelligence, and training, as well as backing the local watchdogs that help keep governments and others honest. Shannon K. O’Neil, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'police force.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of police force was in 1820

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 19 Mar. 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

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