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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. D

    VIC False Assault charges reported to police-Report request

    Hello An alcoholic partner had reported me to police in one of his drunken rages for assault. These allegations were completely false, he staged everything after I left the house and the police seen right through the lies. They have advised that I am listed as the AFM " affected family member"...
  2. S

    TAS Can I Publish a police report/Private investigators report

    Hi, I have received a police report from my lawyer which included a report done by a private investigator on a matter that has been concluded. Police didn't pursue chargers. And magistrate dismissed the restraint order. Are these documents public info or are they protected by law. That they...
  3. A

    WA Assault - police investigation

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  4. Hellomyonlyfriend

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  5. Hellomyonlyfriend

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  6. Hellomyonlyfriend

    NSW Help! Can police tender video evidence without person present

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  7. Waylea

    VIC After a property raid with search warrant. Can police commence another using same search warrant?

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  8. Steven0305

    VIC Can I travel oversea while on police bail?

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  9. J

    Defacto Subpoenaed police records

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  10. User2482

    NSW Licence suspension

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