police

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A constituted body of officers representing the civil authority of government, empowered to maintain public order and safety, enforce the law, and prevent, detect, and investigate crime.

   There are nine Principles of Police: ... 7 To maintain at all times a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and that the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen, in the interests of community welfare and existence.

2. 2
   noun

   The staff of such a department or agency, particularly its officers; (regional, chiefly US, Caribbean, Jamaica, Scotland, countable) an individual police officer.

   Pearlman: Very clever, Lester. You got it all figured, huh? Freamon: Me? I'm just a police.

3. 3
   noun

   People who try to enforce norms or standards as if granted authority similar to the police.

   Who called the fashion police?

4. 4
   noun

   Cleanup of a military facility, as a formal duty.

   Q. […] What did you do that day? — A. I was cleaning up around quarters. Q. You had been on guard and went on police duty? You were policing, cleaning up around the barracks? — A. Yes, sir.

5. 5
   noun

   Synonym of administration, the regulation of a community or society.

   The notion of ‘police’ – that is, rational administration – was seen as a historical force which could bring civilized improvement to societies.

6. 6
   verb

   To enforce the law and keep order among (a group).

   Extra security was hired to police the crowd at the big game.

7. 7
   verb

   To clean up an area.

   This comes to him through the company housekeeping, for in the field each organization takes care of itself, cooks its own food, makes its own beds, does its own policing (cleaning up); […]

8. 8
   verb

   To enforce norms or standards upon.

   to police a person's identity

Etymology

From Middle French police, from Latin polītīa (“state, government”), from Ancient Greek πολιτεία (politeía). Doublet of policy, polis (“police”), and polity.