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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
More than four months on, however, Deadline understands the police force has made little progress. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024 The fatal crash happened after the police force in McColl – a town of about 2,000 residents near the state’s border with North Carolina -- walked off the job last week. Greg Norman, Fox News, 30 Nov. 2024 But even at its largest, the school police force was never big enough for around-the-clock patrols at some 1,000 campuses in the sprawling district. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024 The Department of Justice has reached a reform deal with the Louisville Police Department following a probe into the city's police force prompted by the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor, officials announced this week. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for police force 

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 30 Dec. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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