the official organization whose job is to enforce the law, protect people, and catch criminals
The police arrived within minutes after the robbery was reported.
You should call the police if you see anything suspicious.
✦ From Old French police “public order, administration, government,” from Latin polītīa “organization, civil administration,” from Ancient Greek πολιτεία (politeía) “citizenship, government.”
to watch and control an area, activity, or group to make sure that rules or laws are followed
Volunteers helped police the beach by reminding visitors not to litter.
The organization works to police online hate speech.
✦ Extension of the noun sense; first recorded as a verb in the mid-19th century.
