police officer

noun

Definition of police officer

: a member of a police force

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Synonyms for police officer

Synonyms

bobby [British], bull [slang], constable [chiefly British], cop, copper, flatfoot [slang], fuzz, gendarme, lawman, officer, policeman, shamus [slang]

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Examples of police officer in a Sentence

there were police officers directing traffic around the scene of the accident

Recent Examples on the Web

But a national police spokesman disputed the allegation that demonstrators were killed, saying one soldier died and three police officers injured when protestors stormed a district chief’s office with arrows and machetes. Time, "Protests in West Papua Have Turned Violent Amid an Internet Blackout. Here's What to Know," 29 Aug. 2019 People were escorted individually through the armory with a police officer and a Red Cross volunteer to view bodies on cots covered with blankets. Steven Goode, courant.com, "Medical examiner makes case to exhume unidentified bodies from the Hartford Circus Fire," 29 Aug. 2019 Nationally, suicides for both police officers and firefighters have surpassed line-of-duty deaths for the respective positions. John Benson, cleveland.com, "Lakewood firefighters create support program in response to first responder suicide rate increase," 28 Aug. 2019 Teachers, Detroit police officers and families with children no older than Emma knelt, prayed and sang through the traditional mass, accompanied by gentle organ music. Emma Keith, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit community mourns and remembers Emma Hernandez, 9, at funeral," 24 Aug. 2019 Once police were on the scene, multiple witnesses said, and video surveillance showed, that police officer Christopher Ramey, one of three officers that responded, walked straight to Clemons without pausing to assess the situation. Lily Jackson | Ljackson@al.com, al, "Jury splits Waffle House verdict: Not guilty of disorderly conduct but guilty of resisting arrest," 23 Aug. 2019 In practical terms, qualified immunity is most often invoked to block civil-rights lawsuits against police officers and prison guards. Matt Ford, The New Republic, "Conservative Judges Are Brawling Over Originalism," 22 Aug. 2019 Six police officers were injured, and two were trapped for hours upstairs in the home before they and three civilians were rescued by SWAT officers during the standoff, authorities said. Phil Helsel, NBC News, "Man accused of firing at Philadelphia officers in hours-long standoff is charged," 21 Aug. 2019 An analysis of Facebook posts by officers nationwide revealed 75 current Phoenix police officers and 22 retired officers posted racist or inflammatory commentary. Bree Burkitt, azcentral, "Phoenix police must now self-report whenever they point a gun at someone," 19 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'police officer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of police officer

1797, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for police officer

police officer

noun

English Language Learners Definition of police officer

: a person whose job is to enforce laws, investigate crimes, and make arrests : a member of the police

police officer

noun

Kids Definition of police officer

: a member of a police force

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