English for Police

As a police officer you have one of the most important jobs in the world: to serve and protect the people. While you are fighting crime and handling emergencies you probably come across many English speakers. Some may commit crimes, while others may be victims of crime. In both cases, you need to ask and answer questions in English. Your job may also require you to speak to English witnesses. Time can be a key factor in solving a crime or saving a life. You cannot always wait for an interpreter. These pages will help you learn vocabulary and phrases that will be useful when you encounter English speakers. Do the exercises and take the quizzes to test your knowledge and understanding.


In English the word police is an uncountable noun. We therefore treat it as plural and say, for example: The Police are coming. The words policeman or policewoman are countable, so can be singular or plural, for example: The policeman is asking questions. Three policewomen are coming.

Crime and Punishment
A crime is a serious offence such as murder or robbery. A punishment is a penalty imposed on somebody who is convicted of a crime. A punishment could be, for example, time in prison or a fine.


There is an important difference between criminal law and civil law. Criminal law deals with matters such as murder. Civil law deals with matters such as contracts or divorce. The police are not normally involved in civil law.


Questions from law breakers or suspected criminals
Why did you pull me over?
Have I done something wrong?
Is this illegal?
What are my rights?
Can I call a lawyer?
Where are you taking me?
Can I make a phone call?
Questions police may ask a suspected criminal
Are you carrying any illegal drugs?
Do you have a weapon?
Does this belong to you?
Whose car is this?
Where were you at eight last night?
Informing someone of laws and police procedures
You are under arrest.
Put your hands on your head.
I am taking you to the police station.
Please get in the police car.
You will have to pay a fine for this.
I will give you a warning this time.
I'm going to write you a ticket.
We'll tow your car to the station.
Smoking in restaurants is illegal in this country.
It is against the law to do drugs in public.

  Types of crime
Crime Definition
abduction/kidnapping taking a person to a secret location using force
armed robbery  using a weapon to steal
arson setting fire to a place on purpose
assault hurting another person physically
attempted murder trying to kill someone (but failing)
burglary,
breaking and entering  going into another person's home or business with force
child abuse  injuring a child on purpose  
domestic violence physical assault that occur within the home
drug trafficking  trading illegal drugs  
drunk driving  driving after having too much alcohol
fraud  lying or cheating for business or monetary purposes
hijacking holding people in transit hostage (usually on a plane)
murder/homicide  taking someone's life through violence
shoplifting  stealing merchandise from a store
smuggling bringing products into a country secretly and illegally
speeding  driving beyond the speed limit
terrorism acts of crime against a group (political/religious) or another country
theft  stealing
torture  extremely cruel and unfair treatment (often towards prisoners)
vandalism damaging public or private property (for example with spray paint)
white collar crime breaking the law in business

Types of punishment
Punishment
(example offence) Definition
traffic ticket
(speeding, parking) leaves marks on driving record/involves paying a fine
license suspension
(drunk driving) driving rights are removed for a certain period of time
fine
(hunting out of season)  pay money as punishment for minor/petty crime
house arrest
(a young offender who is waiting to go to court) remain in one's home for a certain period of time  
community service
(a youth that steals a car for the first time) do volunteer work such as teaching children about crime or cleaning up garbage
jail time
(man who assaults his wife)  spend a certain amount of months or years locked away from society
life in prison
(a woman who commits homicide)  spend the rest of one's life in prison with no chance of going back into society

Vocabulary
Vocabulary
part of speech Meaning Example sentence
arrest
verb take into police control My partner arrested the man who set fire to the building.  
assailant
noun person who assaults or attacks Did you see the assailant run away?  
at large (on the loose)
preposition + adjective not caught, running free I'm  that the man who robbed the bank is still at large.  
armed and dangerous
adjective is carrying a weapon and has a violent background Do not approach the thief if you see him. He is considered armed and dangerous.  
back-up
noun police that are called in to support or help We're calling for back up now that we know she has a gun.  
bail
noun large amount of money that someone pays as a promise to appear in cour Your husband's bail is posted at 20, 000 dollars.  
baton (night stick)
noun heavy stick that police use for controlling crowds or defending themselves No, we don't carry guns. We only have batons.  
book someone
verb register someone as a criminal We're taking your brother down to the station to book him.
break into
verb enter a residence, car, or business illegally Do you have any idea who would have broken into your car?  
burglar
noun a person who breaks into a home or business and steals items We think the burglar got in through your chimney.
cell
noun individual room in a jail/prison We'll have to keep you in a cell until someone comes to pay your bail.  
convict
noun a person who is doing (or supposed to be doing) jailtime Please be aware that there is a convict on the loose.  
cop/copper
noun  police officer (common slang) Did somebody here call the cops?
criminal record
noun a file that lists all of the crimes a person has committed We don't allow anyone with a criminal record into our country.
crime scene
noun the place where a crime happened Please stay outside the yellow tape. This is a crime scene.
cruiser (squad car)
noun police car Please step out of your vehicle and get into the police cruiser.
(in) custody
noun under police control You will be happy to know that we have taken the kidnapper into custody.
DUI/DWI
(Driving Under the Influence/Driving while Intoxicated). Driving after drinking too much alcohol  Your record says that you have two previous DUIs.
detective
noun police officer responsible for solving crime The detective is going to ask you a few questions about the man's appearance.  
do time
verb + noun receive punishment for a crime by spending time in jail You won't be required to do any time but you will have to pay a fine.
domestic dispute
adjective + noun argument/trouble in the home(often leads to violence) We've had a number of calls reporting a domestic dispute in your hotel room.
escape
verb get away from a holding place If you try to escape we will have to restrain you with handcuffs.  
felony
noun a major crime (e.g. murder) Murder is considered a felony and is punishable by life in prison.  
fine
noun money that a person pays for breaking a law You can get charged a large fine for speeding in a school zone.  
fingerprints
noun marks left by fingers that identify a person We're going to have to check your personal belongings for fingerprints.  
firearms
noun weapons that shoot It is illegal to carry unregistered firearms such as rifles and pistols.  
gang
noun a group of people often associated with crime and drugs Stay away from this area at night as there is a lot of gang activity.  
guilty
adjective responsible for a crime, deserving of punishment You will be considered innocent until you are proven guilty.
handcuffs
noun metal rings that attach to wrists to keep criminals (or the accused)from escaping We put your boyfriend in handcuffs, because we saw him climbing through your window and thought he was an intruder.
innocent
adjective not responsible for the crime We'll believe you are innocent when you show us your receipt for the items in the bag.
intruder
noun a person who enters a home or business illegally Someone called to report an intruder on the third floor.  
jail (prison)
noun a place where criminals are confined The guards will be patrolling the prison all day long.  
misdemeanor
noun a minor crime (punishment is usually a fine or less than one year in jail) Stealing a road sign is considered a misdemeanor,but is punishable by a large fine.  
noise complaint
noun a call to the police to complain of disturbing noise (usually music or a party)  Two of your neighbours have made a noise complaint tonight.  
partner noun another officer that a policeman drives and works with I'm going to get you to tell your story to my partner.
patrol (on patrol)
verb observe and protect an area We always patrol the downtown core on the weekends.
perpetrator
noun person who committed the crime The perpetrator is still at large.  
pickpocket
noun a thief who steals from people's pockets in transit or in crowds  Beware of pickpockets on the subway.  
pistol
noun a hand held firearm
Our local cops carry pistols but rarely use them.
pursuit
noun the act of searching for We are in pursuit of a man in a green jacket and orange pants.  
radar
noun/adjective radio wave transmission that helps police track cars and map crime scenes According to our radar you were driving well above the speed limit.
robbery
noun theft; taking something that does not belong to you, often with force We have twenty officers investigating the bank robbery.
speeding ticket
noun a fine given to a driver who gets caught driving beyond the speed limit  Your license shows a clean driving record except for one speeding ticket from five years ago.  
steal
verb to take something that does not belong to you Do you know who stole your wallet?
street crime
noun crime such as drugs and prostitution  Don't give the beggars any money. You will only be promoting street crime.  
thief
noun somebody who steals We have found the thief who stole your car.
walkie-talkie
noun hand held radio each partner carries My partner told me your license plate over his walkie-talkie.  
wanted
adjective being searched for by police A man from your hotel is wanted for his involvement in a murder.  
witness
verb to see something happen Three people witnessed the murder but they are  to speak.
young offender (juvenile delinquent)
noun a minor who commits a crime (usually under age of 18) Your punishment will be less severe because you are a young offender.

Helping Tourists
Questions tourists ask police
I'm lost. Can you help me find the Pacific Hotel?
I'm looking for the American Consulate/Embassy.
My luggage/suitcase was stolen. What should I do?
Who can we trust to exchange our money?
Where is the bad part of town?
Please help us. Our child is missing.
Questions police ask tourists
Which hotel are you staying at?
When did you lose your wallet?
How much money was in your purse?
What did the thief look like?
What was the man wearing?
Did he have a weapon?
Where/When did you last see your child?
How old is your child?
What was your child wearing?
Comforting a tourist in distress
Please stay calm. I am going to help you.
We will do everything we can.
I'll give you a map of the city.
Try not to panic.
I can give you a ride to the hospital.
The ambulance is on its way.
Don't worry, everything is going to be okay.
Sample Conversation
A Spanish police officer helps a British woman find her missing child...

Woman: Help! Police!  
Police: What's wrong?
Woman: My daughter is missing. I can't find her anywhere!
Police: Okay. Calm down. I'm going to help you find her. What's her name?
Woman: Erica. She's only five. She doesn't know how to speak Spanish!
Police: Okay. What does Erica look like?
Woman: She has brown curly hair. She's skinny and small for her age.
Police: Okay. What is she wearing today?
Woman: Blue shorts and a pink T-shirt. She has a hat on too, I think.
Police: How long ago did she go missing?
Woman: I've been looking for her for almost an hour now.
Police: And where did you last see her?
Woman: We were just shopping in the vegetable section. I turned around and she was gone.
Police: Don't worry, everything is going to be okay.
Woman: What should I do?
Police: Stay right at the front of the store in case she comes looking for you. We'll start looking for her now.

Traffic and Accidents
Pulling over drivers
Can I see your driver's licence and passport?
Have you been drinking tonight?
How much have you had to drink?
How fast do you think you were going?
Do you know what the speed limit is?
Is this a rental car?


You were driving too fast.
You broke the speed limit.
You were driving on the wrong side of the road.
You're driving the wrong way in a one-way street.
You were travelling too close to the car in front of you.
You cut off another car.
You didn't obey the traffic signals.
You aren't wearing your seatbelt.
You aren't allowed to park here.


I'm going to keep your driving licence and give you a ticket. You can go to the police station to pay the fine. They will give your driving licence back to you.
Questions police ask an injured driver
Are you hurt?
Can you stand up/move?
Where does it hurt most?
How did the accident happen?
Who was at fault?
What did the other car look like?
Is there someone you want to call?
Don't worry. We've called an ambulance.
Sample Conversation
A Japanese police officer pulls over an American driver on the highway for speeding...

Police: Can I see your driver's license please?
Man: Ah, yeah. I think it's in my pocket. No. Maybe my wallet. Uh. Yeah here.
Police: Do you know how fast you were driving?
Man: No, sorry. It's a rental car. I'm not used to it.
Police: Have you been drinking tonight, Mr. Davidson?
Man: I had one or two drinks. I'm okay to drive, though. I know my limit.
Police: How long have you been in Japan?
Man: A few weeks, why?
Police: It seems you are unaware of our zero tolerance for drinking and driving.
Man: I'm not drunk. I'll blow into a breathalizer.
Police: In Japan you cannot operate a vehicle after consuming any alcohol.
Man: Oh, I didn't know that.
Police: You were also going over the speed limit, Mr. Davidson. I'm going to have to ask you to step out of your vehicle and get into my car.
Man: This is crazy. But what about my car?
Police: We'll have the rental car towed to the agency. When you're in our country you have to respect our rules.

Questioning a Witness
to witness (verb): to see something happen
a witness (noun): a person who sees something happen

Witnesses are valuable to the police. A witness is somebody who is actually present when something happens and sees what happens. The police usually like to question all witnesses as soon as possible after a crime, accident or other event.

Questions police ask witnesses
Did you see what she was wearing?
Did he have a weapon?
Was the gun loaded?
What kind of car was the thief driving?
I will need to get a statement from you.
How long ago did this happen?
If you think of anything else, please notify us.
Description of a suspect
He was wearing sunglasses.
He had a mustache.
He had a beard.
She was dressed in black.
She had a baseball cap on.
She was wearing gloves.
Hair: short, long, shoulder length, curly, straight, spiky, brown, blond, black, red, in a ponytail
Body: skinny, fat, chubby, medium build, muscular, tall, short, average height
Sample Conversation
An ESL teacher working in Korea witnesses a bank robbery. The police question her as a witness...

Police: I understand you were the key witness for the robbery.
Woman: Yes, I was the only other person in the bank besides the tellers.
Police: Are you okay to answer some questions for me?
Woman: Sure. I don't know how much help I'll be. He made me get on the ground so I didn't get a very good look at him.
Police: Was he carrying a weapon?
Woman: Yes, he had a pistol in his back pocket. He threatened to use it, but I doubt it was loaded.
Police: What makes you say that?
Woman: He was just a kid. Probably fifteen or younger.
Police: Can you describe him for me?
Woman: He was Asian. Probably five foot six. He was wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses. I can't remember what else he was wearing.
Police: Did he talk directly to you? I mean, did he ask you for your money or anything?
Woman: No, he just told me to get on the ground. That's all I know. I'm running late for a class. Is it okay if I go now?
Police: I just want to get your name and phone number. If you think of anything else, please notify us.

Asking for Identification (ID) and Information
May I see some photo ID?
Can I see your passport?
Driver's license, please.
Do you have your birth certificate?
How long have you been in the country?
Are you here for a holiday?
Do you have another piece of ID?
ID is different in every country
It is important to keep in mind that every country requires different documentation that proves someone's identification (ID). In many countries such as Greece and Spain a national ID card is compulsory. Citizens are expected to have these cards on them at all times. However, in other countries ID cards are not required. Police and officials in these countries often use another system to identify people, such as asking for two pieces of ID.

Types of ID
Passport
Government-issued Photo ID card
Driving licence/Driver's license
Birth certificate
Permanent residence card
Social security card
Medical/Health card
Voter registration card
Information/security items that may appear on documentation
bar code  a series of thick and thin black lines that holds computerized information
Date of birth (DOB)  date when the ID holder was born:
day/month/year: 23/05/1970 (23rd May 1970)
month/day/year: 05/23/1970 (23rd May 1970)
year/month/day: 1970/05/23 (23rd May 1970)
Date of Issue date when documentation was created
Eye colour  blue, brown, green, black, grey
Fingerprint  markings of a person's thumb or finger tip  

Height how tall a person is in centimetres or feet and inches
Hologram a laser photograph which makes a picture or image look life-like
Magnetic stripe a long black stripe found on the back of a card that can be swiped into a computer for information
Maiden name a woman's surname before marriage
Marital status single, married, divorced (no longer married), separated, common law wife, common law husband  
National status
citizenship (native citizen, immigrant, landed immigrant, permanent resident, refugee)  
Photograph
recent picture of ID holder
Place of birth  city, country where ID holder was born
Profession
current job (doctor, teacher, retired)
Serial number or PIN (Personal Identification Number) number that can be entered into government systems to find information about a person
Sex M (male), F (female)
Signature hand-written name of ID holder
Valid until/expiry date the last date when an ID document can be used

Reading Exercise: Identity Fraud
Read the vocabulary and then try to fill in the blanks.

ID fraud lying about one's identity
counterfeit fake, not real
illegal immigrants    people who do not have government permission to live or work in a country
crack down on to put a real stop to
authentic real, true
identity theft stealing someone else's identity for personal use (or sale)
underground not publicly known, usually illegal
getting away with    not getting caught by police or the authorities
controversy disagreement surrounding an issue

Today, __________ is a major concern for police around the world. Many young people use __________ ID to access adult venues, such as concerts and nightclubs. As police find new ways to __________ fake ID (e.g. searching the Internet for __________ companies), new technology is created to help make fraudulent ID look __________. ID cards with security measures, such as magnetic stripes and barcodes help to prevent people from __________ fake ID. However, an even greater problem for police is the concern of __________. Some thieves make a profession out of stealing wallets, purses, or personal mail in order to sell new identities to criminals or __________. There is great __________ over whether or not all countries should opt for national ID cards. Some people do not think that the police should have access to such personal information, while others think it would help to prevent crime and illegal immigration.

Answer
Today, ID fraud is a major concern for police around the world. Many young people use counterfeit ID to access adult venues, such as concerts and nightclubs. As police find new ways to crack down on fake ID (i.e. searching the Internet for underground companies), new technology is created to help make fraudulent ID look authentic. ID cards with security measures, such as magnetic stripes and barcodes help to prevent people from getting away with fake ID. However, an even greater problem for police is the concern of identity theft. Some thieves make a profession out of stealing wallets, purses, or personal mail in order to sell new identities to criminals or illegal immigrants. There is great controversy over whether or not all countries should opt for national ID cards. Some people do not think that the police should have access to such personal information, while others think it would help to prevent crime and illegal immigration.