(plural, plural-normally) A public agency charged with enforcing laws and maintaining public order, usually being granted special privileges to do so, particularly
(Canada, US, historical, plural, plural-normally) A public agency charged with enforcing laws and maintaining public order, usually being granted special privileges to do so, particularly
(UK, plural, plural-normally) A public agency charged with enforcing laws and maintaining public order, usually being granted special privileges to do so, particularly
(Australia, New-Zealand, plural, plural-normally) A public agency charged with enforcing laws and maintaining public order, usually being granted special privileges to do so, particularly
(plural, plural-normally, plural-only, usually) The staff of such a department or agency, particularly its officers; (regional, chiefly US, Caribbean, Jamaica, Scotland, countable) an individual police officer.
(derogatory, figuratively, ironic, mildly, plural, plural-normally, usually) People who try to enforce norms or standards as if granted authority similar to the police.
(plural, plural-normally, slang) Cleanup of a military facility, as a formal duty.
(archaic, plural, plural-normally) Synonym of administration, the regulation of a community or society.
(alt-of, alternative, obsolete, plural, plural-normally) Alternative form of policy.
(alt-of, alternative, obsolete, plural, plural-normally) Alternative form of polity, civilization, a regulated community.