English for Police - Vocabulary

As a police officer you have one of the most important jobs in the world: to serve and protect the people. While you are fighting crime and handling emergencies you probably come across many English speakers. Some may commit crimes, while others may be victims of crime. In both cases, you need to ask and answer questions in English. Your job may also require you to speak to English witnesses. Time can be a key factor in solving a crime or saving a life. You cannot always wait for an interpreter. These pages will help you learn vocabulary and phrases that will be useful when you encounter English speakers. Do the exercises and take the quizzes to test your knowledge and understanding.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary
part of speech
MeaningExample sentence
arrest
verb
take into police controlMy partner arrested the man who set fire to the building.
assailant
noun
person who assaults or attacksDid you see the assailant run away?
at large (on the loose)
preposition + adjective
not caught, running freeI'm afraid that the man who robbed the bank is still at large.
armed and dangerous
adjective
is carrying a weapon and has a violent backgroundDo 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 helpWe'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 courYour husband's bail is posted at 20, 000 dollars.
baton (night stick)
noun
heavy stick that police use for controlling crowds or defending themselvesNo, we don't carry guns. We only have batons.
book someone
verb
register someone as a criminalWe're taking your brother down to the station to book him.
break into
verb
enter a residence, car, or business illegallyDo you have any idea who would have broken into your car?
burglar
noun
a person who breaks into a home or business and steals itemsWe think the burglar got in through your chimney.
cell
noun
individual room in a jail/prisonWe'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) jailtimePlease 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 committedWe don't allow anyone with a criminal record into our country.
crime scene
noun
the place where a crime happenedPlease stay outside the yellow tape. This is a crime scene.
cruiser (squad car)
noun
police carPlease step out of your vehicle and get into the police cruiser.
(in) custody
noun
under police controlYou will be happy to know that we have taken the kidnapper into custody.
DUI/DWI(Driving Under the Influence/Driving while Intoxicated). Driving after drinking too much alcoholYour record says that you have two previous DUIs.
detective
noun
police officer responsible for solving crimeThe 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 jailYou won't be required to do any time but you will have to pay a fine.
domestic dispute
adjective + noun
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 placeIf 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 lawYou can get charged a large fine for speeding in a school zone.
fingerprints
noun
marks left by fingers that identify a personWe're going to have to check your personal belongings for fingerprints.
firearms
noun
weapons that shootIt is illegal to carry unregistered firearms such as rifles and pistols.
gang
noun
a group of people often associated with crime and drugsStay away from this area at night as there is a lot of gang activity.
guilty
adjective
responsible for a crime, deserving of punishmentYou will be considered innocent until you are proven guilty.
handcuffs
noun
metal rings that attach to wrists to keep criminals (or the accused)from escapingWe 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 crimeWe'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 illegallySomeone called to report an intruder on the third floor.
jail (prison)
noun
a place where criminals are confinedThe 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
noun
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 nounanother officer that a policeman drives and works withI'm going to get you to tell your story to my partner.
patrol (on patrol)
verb
observe and protect an areaWe always patrol the downtown core on the weekends.
perpetrator
noun
person who committed the crimeThe perpetrator is still at large.
pickpocket
noun
a thief who steals from people's pockets in transit or in crowdsBeware of pickpockets on the subway.
pistol
noun
a hand held firearmOur local cops carry pistols but rarely use them.
pursuit
noun
the act of searching forWe are in pursuit of a man in a green jacket and orange pants.
radar
noun/adjective
radio wave transmission that helps police track cars and map crime scenesAccording to our radar you were driving well above the speed limit.
robbery
noun
theft; taking something that does not belong to you, often with forceWe have twenty officers investigating the bank robbery.
speeding ticket
noun
a fine given to a driver who gets caught driving beyond the speed limitYour 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 youDo you know who stole your wallet?
street crime
noun
crime such as drugs and prostitutionDon't give the beggars any money. You will only be promoting street crime.
thief
noun
somebody who stealsWe have found the thief who stole your car.
walkie-talkie
noun
hand held radio each partner carriesMy partner told me your license plate over his walkie-talkie.
wanted
adjective
being searched for by policeA man from your hotel is wanted for his involvement in a murder.
witness
verb
to see something happenThree people witnessed the murder but they are afraid to speak.
young offender (juvenile delinquent)
noun
a minor who commits a crime (usually under age of 18)Your punishment will be less severe because you are a young offender.

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