This glossary is about the police language often used on the field at work. Sometimes, it’s difficult to understand all the complex words, and you may feel embarrassed to ask a police officer. This glossary is going to help you with the police vocabulary.
bulletproof vest
noun
A bulletproof vest, also known as a ballistic vest or a bullet-resistant vest, is an item of body armour that helps absorb the impact and reduce or stop penetration to the torso by firearm-fired projectiles and fragmentation from explosions.
Example: The bulletproof vest protect the police officer in action.
fr: gilet pare-balles
evidence
noun
The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.
Example: According to this assumption the lower the uncertainty (hence the more confidence in the science), the more reasons there are to turn to prevention, but when scientific research has not resulted in providing sufficient amount of compelling EVIDENCE, there seems to be a justification for precautionary measures.
fr: preuve
exhibit
noun
A document or other object produced in a court as evidence.
Example: At court, there are exhibits presented.
fr: exhibition
firearm
noun
A rifle, pistol, or other portable gun.
Example: Jones pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with criminal intent.
fr: arme à feu
gunshot wound
A form physical trauma sustained from the discharge of arms or munitions.
Example: Frantically, he searches the tiny church, and finds Emma, slumped in a chair in the Vestry, with a GUNSHOT WOUND to her head, and her wedding ring finger missing.
fr: traumatisme balistique
handcuffs
noun
A pair of lockable linked metal rings for securing a prisoner's wrists.
Example: Losing control, Jack knocks Sarah unconscious, HANDCUFFS her, and calls for help.
fr: menottes
hideout
noun
A hiding place, especially one used by someone who has broken the law.
Example: The kidnappers did not want their hideout discovered.
fr: cachette
hostage
noun
A person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition.
Example: If all cards are the Ace of hearts, the person lives but if any other combination occurs, the room is detonated killing the HOSTAGE.
fr: otage
investigation
noun
The action of investigating something or someone; formal or systematic examination or research.
Example: An investigation has been launched into the potential impact of the oil spill.
fr: enquête
jail
noun
A place for the confinement of people accused or convicted of a crime.
Example: Miroslaw Chojecki lost their jobs, continuously spent time in JAIL and got beaten up, in the meanwhile enabling the publication of 150 illegal books.
fr: prison
motive
noun
A reason for doing something, especially one that is hidden or not obvious.
Example: A motive for his murder.
fr: motif
offence
noun
A breach of a law or rule; an illegal act.
Example: A person, who is aware of inevitable death in short time, would try to do everything to survive, even commit an OFFENCE, but- stay alive.
fr: infraction
pepper spray
noun
An aerosol spray containing oils derived from cayenne pepper, irritating to the eyes and respiratory passages and used as a disabling weapon.
Example: A police officer used his pepper spray against a suspect.
fr: gaz poivré
police officer
noun
A policeman or policewoman.
Example: McConville conveys the discrepancies between on and off-camera communication between a suspect and a POLICE OFFICER.
fr: Officier de police
prosecution
noun
The institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge.
Example: They lacked the funds to embark on private prosecutions.
fr: poursuite
remand
verb
Place (a defendant) on bail or in custody, especially when a trial is adjourned.
fr: renvoi
robbery
noun
The action of taking property unlawfully from a person or place by force or threat of force.
Example: If however, they committed the two acts simultaneously, and were subsequently convicted of ROBBERY, their maximum sentence would be life.
fr: vol
shadowing
verb
Follow and observe (someone) closely and secretly.
Example: He had been up all night shadowing a team of poachers.
fr: observation
warrant
noun
A document issued by a legal or government official authorizing the police or some other body to make an arrest, search premises, or carry out some other action relating to the administration of justice.
Example: In Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland between 40-50% of the black male population between the ages of 18 and 15 is at any given moment either in prison, on probation, parole or there is a WARRANT out for their arrest.
fr: un mandat
witness
noun
A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place.
Example: A witness saw the crime scene that happened last night.
