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Police Vocabulary

This page from our English for Police section lists language that police need in an English-speaking context. Each word is shown with its contextual meaning and an example sentence.

After reviewing this vocabulary, you may like to try our police vocabulary quiz.

vocabulary
part of speech
meaning example sentence
arrest
verb
take into police control My partner arrested the man who set fire to the building.
assailant
noun
person who assaults or attacks Did you see the assailant run away?
at large, on the loose not caught, running free I'm afraid that the man who robbed the bank is still at large.
armed and dangerous
adjectives
is carrying a weapon and has a violent background Do not approach the thief if you see him. He is considered armed and dangerous.
back-up
noun
police that are called in to support or help We're calling for back-up now that we know she has a gun.
bail
noun
large amount of money that someone pays as a promise to appear in cour Your husband's bail is posted at $20,000.
baton, night stick
noun
heavy stick that police use for controlling crowds or defending themselves No, we don't carry guns. We only have batons.
book sby
verb
register someone as a criminal We're taking your brother down to the station to book him.
break into
verb
enter a residence, car, or business illegally Do you have any idea who would have broken into your car?
burglar
noun
a person who breaks into a home or business and steals items We think the burglar got in through your chimney.
cell
noun
individual room in a jail or prison We'll have to keep you in a cell until someone comes to pay your bail.
convict
noun
a person who is doing (or supposed to be doing) jailtime Please be aware that there is a convict on the loose.
cop, copper
noun
police officer (common slang) Did somebody here call the cops?
criminal record
noun
a file that lists all of the crimes a person has committed We don't allow anyone with a criminal record into our country.
crime scene
noun
the place where a crime happened Please stay outside the yellow tape. This is a crime scene.
cruiser, squad car
noun
police car Please step out of your vehicle and get into the police cruiser.
(in) custody
noun
under police control You will be happy to know that we have taken the kidnapper into custody.
DUI, DWI driving after drinking too much alcohol
(Driving Under the Influence, Driving While Intoxicated)
Your record says that you have two previous DUIs.
detective
noun
police officer responsible for solving crime The detective is going to ask you a few questions about the man's appearance.
do time
verb + noun
receive punishment for a crime by spending time in jail You won't be required to do any time but you will have to pay a fine.
domestic dispute argument/trouble in the home(often leads to violence) We've had a number of calls reporting a domestic dispute in your hotel room.
escape
verb
get away from a holding place If you try to escape we will have to restrain you with handcuffs.
felony
noun
a major crime (e.g. murder) Murder is considered a felony and is punishable by life in prison.
fine
noun
money that a person pays for breaking a law You can get charged a large fine for speeding in a school zone.
fingerprints
noun
marks left by fingers that identify a person We're going to have to check your personal belongings for fingerprints.
firearms
noun
weapons that shoot It is illegal to carry unregistered firearms such as rifles and pistols.
gang
noun
a group of people often associated with crime and drugs Stay away from this area at night as there is a lot of gang activity.
guilty
adjective
responsible for a crime, deserving of punishment You will be considered innocent until you are proven guilty.
handcuffs
noun
metal rings that attach to wrists to keep criminals (or the accused) from escaping We put your boyfriend in handcuffs, because we saw him climbing through your window and thought he was an intruder.
innocent
adjective
not responsible for the crime We'll believe you are innocent when you show us your receipt for the items in the bag.
intruder
noun
a person who enters a home or business illegally Someone called to report an intruder on the third floor.
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jail, prison
noun
a place where criminals are confined The guards will be patrolling the prison all day long.
misdemeanor
noun
a minor crime (punishment is usually a fine or less than one year in jail) Stealing a road sign is considered a misdemeanor,but is punishable by a large fine.
noise complaint a call to the police to complain of disturbing noise (usually music or a party) Two of your neighbours have made a noise complaint tonight.
partner
noun
another officer that a policeman drives and works with I'm going to get you to tell your story to my partner.
patrol
verb
on patrol
observe and protect an area We always patrol the downtown core on the weekends.
perpetrator
noun
person who committed the crime The perpetrator is still at large.
pickpocket
noun
a thief who steals from people's pockets in transit or in crowds Beware of pickpockets on the subway.
pistol
noun
a hand held firearm
Our local cops carry pistols but rarely use them.
pursuit
noun
the act of searching for We are in pursuit of a man in a green jacket and orange pants.
radar radio wave transmission that helps police track cars and map crime scenes According to our radar you were driving well above the speed limit.
robbery
noun
theft; taking something that does not belong to you, often with force We have twenty officers investigating the bank robbery.
speeding ticket a fine given to a driver who gets caught driving beyond the speed limit Your license shows a clean driving record except for one speeding ticket from five years ago.
steal
verb
to take something that does not belong to you Do you know who stole your wallet?
street crime
noun
crime such as drugs and prostitution Don't give the beggars any money. You will only be promoting street crime.
thief
noun
somebody who steals We have found the thief who stole your car.
walkie-talkie
noun
hand held radio each partner carries My partner told me your license plate over his walkie-talkie.
wanted being searched for by police A man from your hotel is wanted for his involvement in a murder.
witness
verb
to see something happen Three people witnessed the murder but they are afraid to speak.
young offender, juvenile delinquent a minor who commits a crime (usually under age of 18) Your punishment will be less severe because you are a young offender.