plainclothes man
Disguised law enforcement
A plainclothes man is a police officer or detective who wears ordinary civilian clothing rather than a uniform, typically for undercover work or investigations where a uniform would be conspicuous: A plainclothes man watched the building from across the street.
The term sounds somewhat dated; plainclothes officer is now more common.
One who examines evidence
- sleuthPrivate investigator
- gumshoeInformal term for detective
- inspectorOfficial quality checker
- private eyeHired investigator, unlicensed
agent · constable · sergeant · lieutenant · inquiry · interrogation · clue · evidence
Secretly engaged in espionage
- incognitoWith identity concealed
- disguisedConcealed true identity
- unmarkedHaving no visible identification
- nonuniformedNot wearing prescribed garb
blend in · inconspicuous · unobtrusive · low-profile · anonymous · undetected · clandestine · secretive
Prolonged covert observation
- shadowingFollowing to observe
- tailingSecretly following someone
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
watching · tracking · reconnaissance · vigilance · informant · intelligence · eavesdropping · wiretapping
investigator
One who examines evidence
private eye · agent · constable · sergeant · lieutenant · inquiry · interrogation · clue · evidence · testimony
undercover
Secretly engaged in espionage
- incognitoWith identity concealed
- disguisedConcealed true identity
- unmarkedHaving no visible identification
nonuniformed · blend in · inconspicuous · unobtrusive · low-profile · anonymous · undetected · clandestine · secretive · infiltration
stakeout
Prolonged covert observation
- shadowingFollowing to observe
- tailingSecretly following someone
- observationAttentive watching or remark
monitoring · watching · tracking · reconnaissance · vigilance · informant · intelligence · eavesdropping · wiretapping · snooping
plainclothes manbeat cop
Officer assigned regular route
patrol officer · traffic cop · bobby · military police · security guard
plain, clothes, plainclothes, plains, plainer, plainest, plainly, plainness, clothe