police action

noun

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Definition of police action

: a localized military action undertaken without formal declaration of war by regular armed forces against persons held to be violators of international peace and order

Recent Examples of police action from the Web

The new material shows officers muting their body cameras at least 16 times, raising additional questions about police actions in the final moments of Clark’s life.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: New coalition aims to improve Democratic messaging against Trump," 18 Apr. 2018
Palanisamy said the police action was justified because demonstrators had become violent, set fire to cars and threw stones at the collector's office.

— parth m.n., latimes.com, "Indian court stops construction at copper plant after 11 killed in protests," 23 May 2018
Even if Solid Ground theoretically owed a duty, Spector said, the police actions, by law, supersede Solid Ground’s conduct.

— steve miletich, The Seattle Times, "Housing agency dismissed from lawsuit in Seattle police shooting of Charleena Lyles," 20 Apr. 2018
Footage posted on social media showed protesters holding placards and chanting slogans against the company and the police action.

— christine hauser, BostonGlobe.com, "Apologetic Starbucks CEO wants to meet with black men arrested at Philly shop," 16 Apr. 2018
The Milwaukee Police Association, the union representing rank-and-file officers, responded over the weekend to news coverage of the video, saying police actions are dictated by the actions of the people involved.

— ashley luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'This is what happens to our youth': Milwaukee police reviewing video of officer pulling teen out of car," 16 Apr. 2018
At the same time, not every culpable police action is motivated by careerism or dishonesty of purpose.

— holman w. jenkins, WSJ, "‘Trust but Verify’ Applies to the FBI," 13 Apr. 2018
That includes noting whether, in each case, the person was arrested, under the influence of drugs, a suspect in a crime and whether the police action began with a citizen complaint or an officer’s observation.

— peter hermann, Washington Post, "Study finds D.C. police using more force," 23 Jan. 2018
The cameras can show any number of police actions, from traffic stops to incidents where officers draw their weapons, and more.

— alex nitkin, chicagotribune.com, "Police body cameras a 'guardian angel': Evanston officer," 8 May 2018

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