This glossary presents twenty terms used in the police field or in court. These terms will be useful for students to learn and to understand the job of a police officer. Also, it will help them with some definitions of certain hard words or confusing ones.
Backup
Noun
backup is extra law enforcement assistance where additional officers arrive at a scene to support and protect a fellow officer.
Example: I was in danger so, I called on the radio backup, backup.
en: Renfort
Bail
Noun
Bail is the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, often secured by depositing a sum of money to guarantee they will return to court.
Example: The judge set bail at five thousand dollars for the criminal.
en: caution
Ballistics
Noun
Ballistics is the scientific study of the motion, behavior, and effects of projectiles—such as bullets, bombs, and rockets—during launch, flight, and impact.
Example: The police used ballistics to match the bullet found at the crime scene to the suspect's handgun.
en: Balistique
Baton
Noun
Baton is a less-lethal impact weapon made of wood, metal, rubber, or high-strength plastic used by law enforcement officers for self-defense, crowd control, and subduing aggressive or resistant subjects.
Example: I used my baton to defend myself from the thief.
en: Matraque
Battery
noun
Battery is the criminal act of intentionally touching, or applying force to the body of another person in an offensive manner, covering a wide range of acts, including those of a sexual nature.
Example: A man punched someone in the face, so he was accused of criminal battery.
en: Voies de fait
Case
noun
Case is a versatile noun and verb that means a specific situation, a container for holding items, or a legal proceeding.
Example: He was ready to hear the decision of the judges on his murder case.
en: Affaire
Criminal (Record)
noun
In legal terms, a record is an official written account, document, or collection of proceedings that serves as permanent, legally binding evidence of an event, transaction, or court action.
Example: Judges check a record to see if the accused person has a history of crime.
en: Dossier criminel
D-U-I
Adjective
DUI is the criminal offense of operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs (including prescription medications), or any other controlled substance that reduces a driver's ability to drive safely.
Example: The driver failed the breathalyzer test and was arrested for a DUI.
en: Conduite avec les facultées affablits par une substance
Felony
noun
A felony is a very serious crime that is typically punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by the death penalty.
Example: He committed a felony by killing his dad.
en: Crime
fired
verb
Fired in police terminology means that a gun has been discharged in an area.
Example: The police officer reported that shots were fired near the main entrance of the building.
en: Coup de feu
Forensic
Adjective
Forensic means relating to the application of scientific methods and techniques to investigate crimes or examine evidence for a court of law
Example: The police sealed off the room while forensic teams carried out a full examination
en: forensiques
Glock
Noun
A Glock is a brand of lightweight, semi-automatic pistol with a polymer frame
Example: The officer took his Glock and ordered the suspect to drop the knife, and he did.
en: Pistolet
Misdemeanor
noun
A misdemeanor is a minor wrongdoing or a non-indictable offense. In legal terms, it is a crime that is less serious than a felony, but more serious than an infraction (like a routine traffic ticket).
Example: Vandals who spray-painted the park bench were charged with a misdemeanor rather than a felony.
en: infraction pénale mineure
offender
Noun
An offender is a person who breaks a law, commits a crime, or does something wrong or harmful
Example: He was a first time offender so the judge forgave him.
en: Contrevenant
Pursuit
noun
Pursuit is the act of following or chasing someone or something in order to catch them. In law enforcement, it usually refers to a high-speed chase where officers pursue a fleeing suspect in a vehicle.
Example: The police pursuit ended when the suspect crashed into a tree.
en: Poursuite
Search
noun
A police search is an inspection or examination by law enforcement of a person, property, or vehicle to find evidence of a crime.
Example: With the search warrant the police searched the house of the criminal.
en: perquisition
Trespassing
Noun
Trespassing is the act of entering or staying on someone else's property without their permission or legal authority.
Example: Officers found a man who had climbed over a locked security fence. He was officially arrested and charged with trespassing after ignoring several visible 'No Trespassing' signs.
en: violation de propriété
Wanted
adjective
The word "wanted" primarily functions as an adjective meaning desired, wished for, or searched for by law enforcement.
Example: During my shift, I found the most wanted criminal of Canada, Dave Pic Turmel.
en: Recherché
Warrant
Noun
A warrant is an official document issued by a judge or authority that gives police or officials permission to do something, or a verb meaning to justify or guarantee.
Example: The police obtained a search warrant to inspect the house.
en: Mandat
Witness
Noun
a person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place.
Example: The police are appealing for witnesses to the accident
