Police Glossary

Police Glossary So you want to become a cop, eh? Not all victims of crime or criminals speak your language. As a first responder, it would be a good idea to learn the most common second language in the world, or at least the words related to your field of study. Policing word cloud Glossary accelerantA substance used to aid the spread of fire. accusedA person or persons charged with a crime. active shooterAn individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. alibiA form of defense used in criminal procedure wherein the accused attempts to prove that he or she was in some other place at the time the alleged offense was committed. arrestTo seize and hold under the authority of law. autopsyDissection of a body to determine the causes of death. badgeA distinctive emblem worn as a mark of office, membership, achievement, or licensed employment. bailiffA legal officer to whom some degree of authority or jurisdiction is given. batonA club of less than arm’s length made of wood, rubber, plastic or metal carried for forced compliance and self-defense by law-enforcement officers, correctional staff, security-industry employees and (less often) military personnel. bulletproof vestA vest capable of resisting the impact of a bullet. Canadian Criminal CodeA law that codifies most criminal offences and procedures in Canada. cause of deathThe action that caused the death, for example a blow to the head. chargeAccuse someone of an offense under law. clueA sign showing the probable existence of something that is found on a crime scene and is related to crime. community policingThe system of allocating police officers to particular areas so that they become familiar with the local inhabitants. coronerAn official who investigates violent, sudden, or suspicious deaths. corruptionDishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery. courtA tribunal presided over by a judge, judges, or a magistrate in civil and criminal cases. crime sceneThe location where a crime took place, and comprises the area from which most of the physical evidence is retrieved by law enforcement personnel, crime scene investigators or in rare circumstances, forensic scientists. criminalA person charged with and convicted of a crime. criminal codeA document which compiles all of a particular jurisdiction’s criminal law. criminal recordA list of a person’s previous criminal convictions. crowd controlA public security practise where large crowds are managed to prevent riots. Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)Canada’s primary national intelligence service responsible for collecting, analyzing, reporting and disseminating intelligence on threats to Canada’s national security. declarationAn explicit, formal announcement, either oral or written. delinquencyMinor crime committed by young people. detectiveA detective is an investigator, either a member of a law enforcement agency or a private person. discretionary powerA power that police office have that allows them to remain silence. domestic violence Violence toward or physical abuse of one’s spouse or domestic partner. drugAn illegal chemical substance that changes the state of a normal person. emergency vehicle lightingVisual warning lights fitted to a vehicle to convey the urgency of a journey when moving, to provide additional warning of a hazard when stationary, or to signal another driver to stop. evidenceThe available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief about a crime is true or valid exhibitA document or other object produced in a court as evidence. fineA sum of money exacted as a penalty by a court of law or other authority. firearmA rifle, pistol, or other portable gun. gunA weapon incorporating a metal tube from which bullets, shells, or other missiles are propelled by explosive force. gunshot woundA form of physical trauma sustained from the discharge of arms or munitions. handcuffsA pair of lockable linked metal rings for securing a prisoner’s wrists. hideoutA hiding place, especially one used by someone who has broken the law. hit-and-runA motor accident in which the vehicle involved does not stop. hooliganismWillful wanton and malicious destruction of the property of others hostageA person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition. in camera hearingA closed-door hearing in judge’s chambers, usually concerning sensitive child-related issues. indictFormally accuse of or charge with a serious crime. inmateA person confined to an institution such as a prison or hospital. innocent bystanderA guiltless witness of a crime. investigationThe work of inquiring into something complex and systematically. investigatorA person who carries out a formal inquiry or investigation. jailA place for the confinement of people accused or convicted of a crime. judgeAn official person who presides over court proceedings. kettleConfine a group of demonstrators to a small area, as a method of crowd control during a demonstration. killerA person who kills. knifeA cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade attached to a handle. lawThe system of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and may enforce by the imposition of penalties. lawyerSomeone who makes practical application of abstract legal theories and knowledge to solve specific individualized problems, or to advance the interests of those who retain them to perform legal services. Miranda warningA warning given by police to criminal suspects in police custody, informing them of their right to silence. motiveA reason which urges somebody to commit this crime. moving violationAny violation of the law committed by the driver of a vehicle while it is in motion. murderThe unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another nightstickA police officer’s club or billy oathA solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one’s future action or behavior. offenceA violation or breach of a law, custom, rule offenderA person who has committed one or more offenses. offenseA violation of a law. pepper sprayA chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and temporary blindness. plea of guiltyA statement by an alleged offender that they have committed the offence with which they are charged. policeThe civil force of a national or local government, responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of public order. police officerA person who has the function of enforcing the law, maintain order and ensure public safety. police raidA visit by the police, immigration officers or other officials, hoping to use the element of surprise to arrest targets. police recordA file listing convictions of an individual, and made available to the public authority. police reportthe physical record of an incident deemed to be illegal or potentially illegal. police uniformA set of clothing that police officers must wear while on duty. policemanA member of a police force. prisonA building in which people are legally held as a punishment for crimes they have committed or while awaiting trial. prosecutionThe institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge. radarA system for detecting the speed of vehicles, by sending out pulses of high-frequency electromagnetic waves that are reflected back to the source. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)The Canadian national police service and an agency of the Ministry of Public Safety Canada, unique in the world since it is a national, federal, provincial and municipal policing body. releaseAllow or enable to escape from confinement; set free. remandTo place a defendant on bail or in custody, especially when a trial is adjourned. robberyThe action of robbing a person or place. search warrantA court order issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement officers to conduct a search of a person, location, or vehicle for evidence of a crime and to confiscate evidence if it is found. shadowingAction to follow and to observe secretly the movements, the actions of one or several individuals. snitchAn informer or informant. Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM)The second largest municipal police force in Canada. Sûreté du Québec (SQ)The only Québec police organization to have jurisdiction over all of Québec, and performs police activities in the municipalities it serves, road safety interventions and local and international criminal investigations. suspectA person thought to be guilty of a crime or offense. terroristOne or more persons using terror for political purposes. theftThe dishonest taking of property belonging to another person with the intention of keeping it. trialA formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings. tribunalAny person or institution with the authority to judge, adjudicate on, or determine claims or disputes, whether or not it is called a tribunal in its title. uniformThe distinctive clothing worn by members of the same organization or body or by children attending certain schools. use of force continuumA standard that provides police officers, probation officers, or corrections officers with guidelines as to how much force may be used against a resisting subject in a given situation. bulletproof vestEquipment primarily intended to protect the thorax, abdomen and back against the firing of firearms by absorbing impact. victimA person harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event or action. warrantA 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. weaponAn instrument of attack or defense in combat, such as a gun, missile, or sword. witness A person who sees a crime or accident take place. 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