- Have you ever wondered why we say “the police are” instead of “the police is”?
- Do you know the difference between “calling the police” and “alerting the police”?
- Are you unsure how to use “police” as a verb in a professional context?
Mastering collocations with the word police is essential for achieving natural fluency in English. Because “police” functions as both a collective noun and a dynamic verb, using the wrong accompanying words can lead to confusion or unnatural-sounding sentences. This guide will help you navigate these linguistic combinations with confidence, ensuring your English sounds modern, accurate, and professional.
Essential Collocations using POLICE as a Noun
In English, “police” is a collective noun that is always plural. We never say “a police”; instead, we refer to the organization or the individuals within it using specific word pairings.
Verbs Frequently Used with Police
These collocations describe actions taken by citizens or the state in relation to law enforcement.
- Call the police: To telephone emergency services.
Example: If you see a break-in, you must call the police immediately. - Inform/Alert the police: To provide information about a potential crime.
Example: Witnesses were asked to alert the police to any suspicious activity. - Help the police with their inquiries: A formal phrase often used when someone is being questioned.
Example: The suspect is currently helping the police with their inquiries. - Evade the police: To escape or avoid being caught.
Example: The driver attempted to evade the police by turning into a narrow alley.
Adjectives Used to Describe the Police
These words help specify the type or level of law enforcement being discussed.
- Local police: Law enforcement specific to a town or city.
Example: Local police have increased patrols in the neighborhood. - Riot police: Officers specifically trained and equipped to deal with crowds.
Example: Riot police were deployed to manage the protest at the capital. - Undercover police: Officers who do not wear uniforms to blend in with the public.
Example: The drug ring was busted by undercover police. - Secret police: (Political context) A force used to suppress dissent.
Example: Historically, many authoritarian regimes relied on secret police.
Common Compound Nouns (Noun + Noun)
In these cases, “police” acts as a modifier for another noun.
- Police officer: A single member of the force (never say “a police”).
Example: My cousin has been a police officer for ten years. - Police station: The building where officers work.
Example: You need to go to the police station to file a formal report. - Police record: A permanent file of an individual’s criminal history.
Example: Having a police record can make it difficult to find a job. - Police presence: The visible existence of officers in an area.
Example: There was a heavy police presence at the music festival.
Common Collocations with POLICE as a Verb
As a verb, “to police” means to control, monitor, or maintain order in a specific area or within a specific group.
Contexts for Using the Verb
- Police an area: To patrol or monitor a physical location.
Example: It is difficult for the government to police remote border regions effectively. - Police a community: To maintain law and order among a group of people.
Example: The new strategy focuses on how officers police local communities. - Self-policing: When a group monitors its own behavior without outside help.
Example: The industry relies on self-policing to maintain ethical standards. - Heavily policed: An area with a very high number of officers.
Example: The downtown core is heavily policed during holiday weekends.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Call the police | Verb + Noun | To contact law enforcement for help. |
| Police officer | Noun + Noun | An individual member of the police force. |
| Police an area | Verb + Noun | To patrol or monitor a location. |
| Undercover police | Adjective + Noun | Officers working in plain clothes. |
| Police presence | Noun + Noun | The visible state of being patrolled. |
| Strictly policed | Adverb + Verb | An area or rule that is very closely monitored. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| The police is coming. | The police are coming. |
| I saw a police on the street. | I saw a police officer on the street. |
| He has a long police history. | He has a police record. |
| The area is guarded by polices. | The area is heavily policed. |
“After the bank robbery, the local police arrived within minutes. A police officer began interviewing witnesses while undercover police searched the surrounding streets. Because the suspect managed to evade the police, there is now a heavy police presence throughout the city. The authorities have promised to strictly police the area until the perpetrator is in police custody.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Police Collocations
Is “police” singular or plural?
In English, “police” is always treated as a plural collective noun. You must use plural verbs, such as “the police are” or “the police have.” If you want to talk about one person, you must say “a police officer.”
What is the difference between “police force” and “police department”?
“Police force” is a general term for the entire organization. “Police department” (often abbreviated as PD in the US) usually refers to the specific organization of a particular city, like the NYPD.
Can I say “the polices”?
No. “Polices” is only used as a third-person singular verb (e.g., “She polices the playground”). As a noun, it is never pluralized with an ‘s’ because “police” is already a plural concept.
When should I use “police” as a verb?
Use it when describing the act of monitoring or enforcing rules. It is common in both physical contexts (“policing the streets”) and metaphorical contexts (“policing the language used in the office”).
What does “police custody” mean?
This is a specific collocation meaning someone is being held at a police station after being arrested. Example: “The suspect is currently in police custody.”
I'm still a bit confused about the verb form. If I say 'The area is policed by local units,' is that correct?
Yes, Lin! That is a perfect use of the passive voice with 'police' as a verb. It means the local units are responsible for maintaining order in that area.
If I want to report a lost wallet, should I 'alert' the police or 'inform' them? Which sounds more natural?
For a lost wallet, 'report' is actually the best collocation! You would 'report a lost item to the police.' 'Alert' sounds like there is an immediate danger or a crime in progress.
Is 'police car' the only way to say it? I've also heard 'squad car' and 'patrol car'. Are they interchangeable?
This article is perfect for my IELTS preparation. Collocations are so important for the writing section. Thank you!
You're very welcome, Amelie! Using collocations like 'police investigation' or 'police brutality' correctly will definitely help you achieve a higher band score in your writing.
I've heard people say 'Call the feds' in American movies. Is that a collocation for the police too?
I recently read the phrase 'police record'. Is that the same as a 'criminal record'?
They are very similar, Isabella. A 'police record' is the official documentation of an individual's contact with the police, while a 'criminal record' specifically lists their convictions in a court of law.
Could you provide more examples of adjective collocations? Like 'undercover police' or 'riot police'?
In business English, we sometimes talk about 'policing the contract.' Is this common or too aggressive?
It is quite common, Sofia! While it sounds a bit firm, it is a standard way to describe ensuring that all parties adhere to the terms of an agreement. It implies strict monitoring.
Is 'the police' always used with the definite article 'the', or can we just say 'Police are coming'?
I enjoyed the explanation of 'collective nouns.' It helps to know that 'police' doesn't have a singular form like 'a police'. Using 'a police officer' makes much more sense now.
We are so glad it clicked for you, Fatimah! Grammar is much easier when you understand the logic behind the categories. Keep up the great work!