police officer
Beat patrol worker
A police officer is a member of a government law enforcement agency, authorized to maintain public order, prevent crime, and make arrests.
The term is gender-neutral and formal—in casual speech, cop or officer is more common.
The police officer asked for my license and registration.
Worn symbol of membership
- uniformIdentical throughout
- holsterSidearm carrying case
- firearmProjectile weapon using explosives
- handcuffsLocking wrist restraints
baton · taser · body camera · radio · flashlight · vest · bulletproof · pepper spray
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- cruiserVehicle for extended patrol
- squad carPolice officer's vehicle
- sirenWailing alert device
- lightsSources of illumination
radio · dispatch · sector · shift · rounds · foot patrol · neighborhood · presence
Seize by law
- apprehendSeize or understand
- detainHold in custody
- handcuffLocking wrist restraint
- interrogateQuestion formally and persistently
investigate · raid · pursuit · takedown · surveillance · undercover · sting · bust
Legal authority's scope
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
regulation · discretion · mandate · control · accountability · chain of command · rank · superior
Formal binding promise
- serviceAid or maintenance
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
ethics · accountability · professionalism · dedication · vigilance · honor · conduct · public servant
Protective caretaker of another
- defenderOne who guards another
- first responderInitial crisis scene personnel
- rescueSave from harm
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
security · peacekeeper · sentinel · shield · intervention · de-escalation · crisis response · victim
Enacted written rule
- ordinanceOfficial government regulation
- violationBreaking of rules
- criminal codeLaws defining offenses and penalties
- misdemeanorLesser criminal charge
felony · evidence · testimony · court · prosecution · trial · witness · subpoena
badge
Worn symbol of membership
handcuffs · baton · taser · body camera · radio · flashlight · vest · bulletproof · pepper spray · nightstick
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
lights · radio · dispatch · sector · shift · rounds · foot patrol · neighborhood · presence · visibility
arrest
Seize by law
interrogate · investigate · raid · pursuit · takedown · surveillance · undercover · sting · bust · crackdown
jurisdiction
Legal authority's scope
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
enforcement · regulation · discretion · mandate · control · accountability · chain of command · rank · superior · sergeant
oath
Formal binding promise
- serviceAid or maintenance
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
integrity · ethics · accountability · professionalism · dedication · vigilance · honor · conduct · public servant · civic duty
guardian
Protective caretaker of another
- defenderOne who guards another
- first responderInitial crisis scene personnel
- rescueSave from harm
safeguard · security · peacekeeper · sentinel · shield · intervention · de-escalation · crisis response · victim · safety
statute
Enacted written rule
- ordinanceOfficial government regulation
- violationBreaking of rules
- criminal codeLaws defining offenses and penalties
misdemeanor · felony · evidence · testimony · court · prosecution · trial · witness · subpoena · charges
police officercriminal
Person who breaks laws
lawbreaker · outlaw · offender · felon · thief
police officercivilian
Non-military person
private citizen · ordinary citizen · bystander · layperson · member of the public
police officeranarchist
One opposing all governance
rebel · revolutionary · rioter · insurrectionist · dissident
police, officer, policeman, sheriff, officers, policemen, policing, policewoman, trooper