Police Vocabulary

1. arrest (verb): take into police control, example: My partner arrested the man who set fire to the bulding.

2.assailant (noun): person who attacks or assaults, example: Did you see the assailant run away?

3. at large, on the loose: not caught, running free, example: I'm afraid that the man who robbed the bank is still at large.

4. armed and dangerous (adjectives): is carrying a weapon and has a violent background, example: Do not approach the thief if you see him. He is considered armed and dangerous.

5. back-up (noun): police that are called in to support and help, example: we're calling for back-up now that we know she has a gun.

6. bail (noun): large amount of money that someone pays as a promise to appear in court, example: My husband's bail is posted 20.000$.

7. baton, night stick (noun): heavy stick that police use for controlling crowds or defending themselves, example: No, we don't carry guns. We only have batons.

8. book (verb): register someone as a criminal, example: we're taking your brother down to the station to book him.

9. Break into (verb): enter a residence, car, or business illegally, example: do you have any idea who would have broken into your car?

10. burglar (noun): a person who breaks into a home or business and steals items, example: we think the burglar got in through your chimney.

11. cell (noun): individual room in a jail or prison, example: We'll have to keep you in a cell until someone come to pay your bail.

12. convict (noun): a person who is doing (or supposed to be doing) jailtime, example: Please be aware that there is a convict on the loose.

13. cop, copper (noun): police offcer (common slang), did somebody here call the cops? 

14. Criminal record (noun): a file that lists all of crimes a person has committed, example: we don't allow anyone with a criminal record into our country.

15. Criminal sence (noun): the place where a crime happened, example: Please stay outside the yellow tape. This is a criminal sence.

16. cruiser, squad car (noun): police car, example: Please step out your vehicle and get into the police cruiser.

17. in custody (noun): under police control: You will be happy to know that we have taken the kidnapper into custody.

18. DUI, DWI: driving after drinking too much alcohol (driving under influence, driving while intoxicated), example: your record says that you have two previous DUIs.

19. detective (noun): police officer responsible for solving crime, example: The detective is going to ask you a few questions abour man's apperance.

20. do time (verb + noun): receive punishment for a crime by sending time in jail, example: You won't be required to do any time but you will have to pay fine.

21. domestic dispute: agurment/trouble in the home (often leads to violence). Example: we've had a number of calls reporting a domestic dispute in your hotel room.

22. Escape (verb): get away from holding place. Example: If you try to escape, we will have to restrain you with handcuffs. 

23. Fine (noun): money that a person pays for breaking a law. Example: You can get charged a large fine for speeding in a school zone.

24. Fingerprints (noun): marks left by fingers that identify a person. Example: We're going to have to check your personal belonging for fingerprints. 

25. Firearms (noun): weapons that shoot. Example: It it illegal to carry unregistered firearms such as rifles and pistols.

26. Gang (noun): a group of people often associated with crime and drugs. Example: Stay away from this area at night as there is a lot of gang activity.

27. Guilty (adj): responsible for crime, deserving of punishment. Example: You will be considered innocent until you are proven guilty.

28. Handcuffs (N): Metal rings that attach to wrists to keep criminals (or the accused) from escaping. Example: We put your boyfriend in handcuffs because we saw him climbing through your window and thought he was an intruder.

29. Innocent (adj): not responsible for the crime. Example: we'll believe you are innocent when you show us your receipt for the items in the bag. 

30. Intruder (N): a person who enters a home or business illegaly. Example: Someone call to report an intruder on the third floor. 

31. Jail, prison (N): A place where criminals are confined. Example: The guards will be patrolling the prison all day long.

32. Misdemeanor (N): A minor crime (Punishment  is usually a fine or less than one year in jail). Example: Stealing a road sign is considered a misdemeanor but is punishable by a large fine.

33. Noise complaint (N): A call to the  police to complain of disturbing noise (usually music or a party). Example: Two of your neighbours have made a noise complaint tonight.

34. Partner (N): another officer that a policeman drives and works with. Example: I'm going to get you to tell your story to my partner.

35. Patrol (V), on patrol: Observe and protect an area. Example: We always patrol the downtown core on the weekends.

36. Perpetrator (N): person who committed the crime.Example: The perpetrator is still at large.

37. Pickpocket (N): a thief who steals from people's pockets in transit or in crowds. Example: Beware of pickpocket in the subway.

38. Pistol (N): a hand held firearm. Example: Our local cops carry pistols but rarely use them.

39. Pursuit (N): the act of searching for. Example: We are in pursuit of a man in a green jacket and orange pants.

40. Radar (N): Radio wave transmission that helps police track cars and map crime scenes. Example: According to our radar, you were driving well above the speed limit. 

41. Robbery (N): theft, taking something that does not belong to you, often with force. Example: We have twenty officers investigating the bank robbery.

42. Speeding ticket (N): a fine given to a driver who gets caught driving beyond the speed limit. Example: Your license shows a clean driving record except for one speeding ticket from five years ago. 

43. Steal (V): to take something that does not belong to you. Example: Do you know who stole your wallet?

44. Street crime (N): Crime such as drugs and prostitution. Example: Don't give the beggars any money. You will only be promoting street crimes.

45. Thief (N): Somebody who steals. Example:We  have found the thief who stole your car.

46. Walkie-talkie (N): hand held radio each partner carries. Example: My partner told me your license plate over his walkie-talkie.

47. Wanted (N): being searched for by police. Example: A man from your hotel is wanted for his involvement in a murder.

48. Witness (V): To see something happen. Example: Three people witnessed the murder but they are afraid to speak. 

49. Young offender, juvenile delinquent: A minor who commits a crime (usually under age of 18). Example: Your punishment will be less severe because your are a young offender.