policespeak
Law enforcement lingo
Policespeak is the distinctive jargon and phrasing used by law enforcement officers, characterized by formal, impersonal language and stock phrases: The suspect was apprehended, The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed.
The term often carries a mildly critical edge, suggesting language that obscures rather than clarifies: In typical policespeak, the report said the officer "discharged his weapon" rather than "shot the man." Related bureaucratic dialects include legalese and medicalese.
Criminal, in copspeak
- suspectBelieve to be likely
- perpetratorOne who commits wrongdoing
- apprehendSeize or understand
- detainHold in custody
alleged · incident · individual · proceeded · vehicle · altercation · responding · dispatched
Euphemism implicating law enforcement
- use of forcePhysical compulsion to comply
- neutralizeCancel an effect
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- resistingActively opposing pressure
subdued · restrained · de-escalate · contact · encounter · discharge · non-compliant · wellness check
Document describing what happened
- statementExpressed claim or fact
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
- filedOrganized for retrieval
- pursuantIn conformity with
aforementioned · hereinafter · complainant · witness · deposition · sworn · testimony · affidavit
Authorized representative communicator
- press conferenceOrganized media Q&A
- cooperatingWorking jointly toward goals
- releasedSet free from confinement
- custodyProtective care or control
person of interest · standard procedure · bodycam footage · transparency · accountability · community · public safety
perp
Criminal, in copspeak
- suspectBelieve to be likely
- perpetratorOne who commits wrongdoing
- apprehendSeize or understand
detain · alleged · incident · individual · proceeded · vehicle · altercation · responding · dispatched · unit
officer-involved
Euphemism implicating law enforcement
- use of forcePhysical compulsion to comply
- neutralizeCancel an effect
- complianceAdhering to requirements
resisting · subdued · restrained · de-escalate · contact · encounter · discharge · non-compliant · wellness check · tactical
incident report
Document describing what happened
- statementExpressed claim or fact
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
- filedOrganized for retrieval
pursuant · aforementioned · hereinafter · complainant · witness · deposition · sworn · testimony · affidavit · jurisdiction
spokesperson
Authorized representative communicator
- press conferenceOrganized media Q&A
- cooperatingWorking jointly toward goals
- releasedSet free from confinement
custody · person of interest · standard procedure · bodycam footage · transparency · accountability · community · public safety
policespeakcasual conversation
Informal spoken exchange
informal speech · vernacular · common parlance · everyday language · everyday speech
policespeakstraight talk
Honest, direct communication
plain English · unvarnished truth · direct speech · candor · clear communication
police, speak, policed, policing, polices, policeman, policewoman, speaks, speaking