polices
polices — noun
1. The official organization whose job is to protect the public and their property,
The official organization whose job is to protect the public and their property, make sure that laws are followed, solve crimes, and catch people who break the law.
The police in this city have a special team for dealing with cybercrime.
the police + have (plural verb)
Eleni called the police after she noticed a broken window at her shop.
call the police (report an incident)
The local police launched a campaign to prevent bicycle thefts near the train station.
A new law gives the police more power to investigate online fraud cases.
- law enforcement
more formal; refers to the system and agencies collectively, e.g. 'law enforcement agencies'
- constabulary
British and more formal; specifically a local police force
文法句型
the police + plural verb
police force / police department
用法筆記
The police is treated as a plural noun in standard English, so it takes a plural verb (the police are, not the police is). In everyday English, the police typically refers to the institution as a whole.
常見錯誤
2. People who work as police officers, whose job is to catch criminals, protect the
People who work as police officers, whose job is to catch criminals, protect the public, and make sure laws are followed.
More than two hundred police were sent to control the crowd at the protest.
number + police (countable members)
The police who patrol Chidi's neighborhood know most of the families by name.
Two police on motorcycles escorted the president's car through central London.
Plain-clothes police stood among the crowd at the festival watching for pickpockets.
- police officers
more precise and gender-neutral when referring to individual members
- law enforcement officers
formal; used in official and legal contexts
文法句型
several / many / two + police
police + plural verb
用法筆記
When referring to individual members, police already functions as a plural. To talk about one person, use police officer, policeman, or policewoman. The word polices as a noun plural (meaning different police forces) exists but is rare.
常見錯誤
polices — verb
- policespresent simple I / you / we / they
- policeses3rd person singular
- policesing-ing form
- policesedpast simple
1. To send police officers, security guards, or soldiers to keep order and protect
To send police officers, security guards, or soldiers to keep order and protect an area, event, or situation.
Private security guards police the entrance to the office building every night.
The area around the stadium was heavily policed during the international match.
passive: be heavily policed
Local volunteers help police the streets during the annual carnival parade in Feng's town.
An international peacekeeping force was sent to police the ceasefire zone.
文法句型
police + noun phrase (area / event / streets)
be policed (passive)
用法筆記
The subject is often a security organization, military force, or group of guards (not just the official police). Frequently used in the passive voice with heavily or effectively to describe the degree of control.
常見錯誤
2. To supervise how a dangerous material, substance, or risky activity is managed,
To supervise how a dangerous material, substance, or risky activity is managed, making sure that official rules and safety standards are followed.
International agreements police the trade of endangered animal species across borders.
collocation: police the trade of
The government has promised to police the disposal of industrial waste more strictly.
collocation: police the disposal of
A special agency polices the use of radioactive materials in hospitals across the country.
Without proper enforcement, no one polices the safety rules at small construction sites.
文法句型
police + noun phrase (use / disposal / trade / industry)
用法筆記
This sense is formal and typically appears in discussions of regulations, government oversight, and international agreements. The subject is usually an official body, government agency, or set of rules, not individuals.