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

Synonyms of police force

• police
• constabulary

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

While that will equip just a fraction of the roughly 2,400-person police force, the city is prioritizing officers who work in tourist-heavy zones and near the ports of entry. —Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026

Visitors will also learn facts about La Grange, including the story of the 1920s strike by the La Grange police force, from which photos and police helmets will be on display. —Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026

That means getting ahead of it now; boost our police force and retain our officers. —Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026

Grado served for 12 years on the Regional Transportation District’s police force, five of those years as chief, before stepping down in March 2022. —John Aguilar, Denver Post, 4 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for police force

• bourse
• coarse
• course
• gorse
• hoarse
• horse
• norse
• source
• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• enforce

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