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The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and the use of force legitimized by the state via the monopoly on violence. The term is most commonly associated with the police forces of a sovereign state that are authorized to exercise the police power of that state within a defined legal or territorial area of responsibility. Police forces are often defined as being separate from the military and other organizations involved in the defense of the state against foreign aggressors; however, gendarmerie are military units charged with civil policing. Police forces are usually public sector services, funded through taxes.
Law enforcement is only part of policing activity. Policing has included an array of activities in different situations, but the predominant ones are concerned with the preservation of order. In some societies, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, these developed within the context of maintaining the class system and the protection of private property. Police forces have become ubiquitous in modern societies. Nevertheless, their role can be controversial, as they are involved to varying degrees in corruption, police brutality and the enforcement of authoritarian rule.
A police force may also be referred to as a police department, police service, constabulary, gendarmerie, crime prevention, protective services, law enforcement agency, civil guard or civic guard. Members may be referred to as police officers, troopers, sheriffs, constables, rangers, peace officers or civic/civil guards. Ireland differs from other English-speaking countries by using the Irish language terms Garda (singular) and Gardaí (plural), for both the national police force and its members. The word "police" is the most universal and similar terms can be seen in many non-English speaking countries.Numerous slang terms exist for the police. Many slang terms for police officers are decades or centuries old with lost etymology. One of the oldest, "cop", has largely lost its slang connotations and become a common colloquial term used both by the public and police officers to refer to their profession.

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  1. fyodor

    Would this be enough to result in a criminal record without direct police contact

    Last year, I was caught shoplifting in UAE united Arab emirates, Dubai as a minor, they took my phone number and a picture of my id and made a write a paper stating that I would not attempt to shoplift again, i have not been contacted by this store or the police ever since. currently, we’re...
  2. T

    NSW Charged by police in nsw under an assumed name

    Hi, I am enquiring as to whether I can have a criminal record removed due to fact at time I was charged (using carriage service to menace, harass and offend) the name used on court documents and by police was not my legal name at the time but an assumed name? Thankyou
  3. D

    VIC Are Vic police oblige to issue on spot fine when pulled over for speeding?

    When pulled over, was told I was over the limit. Took my DL back to his car. DL returned to me less than 1 minute Was told notice will be mail to me Are they oblige to issue me paper fine on spot? Or mailing is the norm?
  4. I

    QLD Would police take action if I complain about a false affidavit?

    I am in N.S.W. To cut a long dog story short I had two valuable working dogs stolen just before the border between N.S.W. and Qld was closed and I was then unable to travel to Queensland to make a complaint to police and retrieve my dogs. During Covid all I could do was try to find out if my...
  5. B

    QLD Ownership of Goods sold at Police Auction

    Hi, I recently purchased an item at a police auction in QLD, following receiving the goods I was looking to sell these goods as I had purchased them at a substantial discount. Long story short, the original owner has seen the advertisement and reported it to the police who subsequently served a...
  6. Hellomyonlyfriend

    NSW Do police usually uplift video footage after it has been tendered?

    Do police usually uplift video footage after it has been tendered? Or is that just when they have it in for you?
  7. Barbie&Kebn

    QLD Steps to recover stolen property recovered by police?

    Early 2022 I was a victim of a burglary. Only a few items were taken and the incident was reported to the police. Come March this year and I was doing some online window shopping and came across one of the items in cash converters website. The item in mention is a handmade vintage diamond ring...
  8. brettws

    QLD Shoplifted out of panick, did not get caught, will police follow up?

    I Shoplifted abput $50 worth of groceries from coles last week. Very ashamed of myself, no excuse that i have resorted to stealing when honest people are working hard and paying to make ends meet. I am remorseful and needing advice if i need to turn myself in or risk prosecution by police i...
  9. Hellomyonlyfriend

    NSW Statements made to NSW Police

    Statements made to NSW Police to get you charged with an offence, do you have a cause of action under defamation, or do they have a defence?
  10. R

    QLD Police Protection hearing

    Hi! I am the aggrieved in a DVO application submitted by the police. Respondent is contesting and there is a hearing coming up. I’m of the understanding that my solicitor on the day is a police prosecutor, do they cross examine on my behalf the same as how a lawyer would?