mall cop
Shopping center guard
A mall cop is a security guard at a shopping mall—typically unarmed, with limited authority, patrolling on foot or by Segway.
The term carries a mildly dismissive connotation, suggesting someone who has the trappings of law enforcement but lacks real police powers: He's just a mall cop, not a real officer.
The 2009 comedy film *Paul Blart: Mall Cop* reinforced the stereotype of mall cops as bumbling and overeager.
Worn symbol of membership
- uniformIdentical throughout
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
power trip · wannabe · flashlight · walkie-talkie · command · duty · responsibility · rules
Retail establishment cluster
- department storeLarge multi-section retail establishment
- food courtCommunal mall dining area
- kioskStandalone public booth
- escalatorAutomated people-lifting stairs
fitting room · mannequin · anchor store · plaza · shopper · storefront · checkout · shoplifter
Ammunition or bout divisions
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- footprintMark from stepping
- presenceState of being somewhere
- monitorDisplay or supervisor
observe · roam · circuit · route · walkthrough · food court · escalator · parking lot
Clumsily incompetent
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
- incompetentLacking necessary skill
- haplessLacking good fortune
- overzealousExcessively fervent or eager
Kevin James · parody · farce · buffoon · shtick · clown · gag · hilarious
Systematic observation of subjects
- camerasVisual recording devices
- CCTVSurveillance camera network
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- observationAttentive watching or remark
guard · loss prevention · shoplifter · detain · citizen's arrest · trespasser · loiterer · suspicious
badge
Worn symbol of membership
- uniformIdentical throughout
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
protocol · power trip · wannabe · flashlight · walkie-talkie · command · duty · responsibility · rules · regulations
shopping center
Retail establishment cluster
- department storeLarge multi-section retail establishment
- food courtCommunal mall dining area
- kioskStandalone public booth
escalator · fitting room · mannequin · anchor store · plaza · shopper · storefront · checkout · shoplifter · merchandise
rounds
Ammunition or bout divisions
monitor · observe · roam · circuit · route · walkthrough · food court · escalator · parking lot · anchor store
bumbling
Clumsily incompetent
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
- incompetentLacking necessary skill
- haplessLacking good fortune
Kevin James · overzealous · parody · farce · buffoon · shtick · clown · gag · hilarious · laughable
surveillance
Systematic observation of subjects
- camerasVisual recording devices
- CCTVSurveillance camera network
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
observation · guard · loss prevention · shoplifter · detain · citizen's arrest · trespasser · loiterer · suspicious · incident report
- securitysecurity guard, security cameras, alarm system, security system, lock
- mallsgalleria, food court, anchor stores, anchors, anchor store
- security jobssecurity guard, security officer, bodyguard, guard, bouncer
- guardsguard, point guard, guardian, shooting guard, bodyguard
- security guardsguard, watchman, sentry, night watchman, security guard
mall copfederal agent
National law enforcement officer
FBI agent · police officer · DEA agent · state trooper · police detective
mall copSecret Service agent
Federal bodyguard for leaders
CIA agent · decorated veteran · professional soldier · intelligence officer