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.
Some of the Jews are still serving in senior positions of the professional army that replaced the Israel Defense Forces and in the police force and as a very small number in the intelligence service. Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025 The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday approved a contract extension for the Sheriff’s Office to provide services in Isleton, which dissolved its police force in 2012 due to financial restraints. Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025 Ross is the newest and heaviest member of Nashville's police force. Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025 No local or state police force, no matter how underfunded or poorly managed, would operate in this way because police departments teach their officers the dangers of using disproportionate force when their lives are not being put at risk. Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Police force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/police%20force. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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