The police work to maintain law and order in local areas by protecting members of the public and their property, preventing crime, reducing the fear of crime and improving the quality of life of all citizens. There are a number of different roles in the police and a well-defined position system that can allow for the advancement of duties from the chief of police to the chief of staff.
The common skills required for being a Cop:
- Communication skills
- Team working and independent working skills
- Confidence
- Problem solving skills
- Sense of personal responsibility
Police Terminology List with Meanings
Following is a list of common terms related to police officers along with their definitions and descriptions:
| A.S.A.P | As soon as possible |
| A.T.F | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms |
| Bailed Out | Subject jumped out of car and ran |
| Byfrnd | Boyfriend |
| Beer Run | Shoplifting beer |
| Bondout | Prisoner who is going to post bail and be released |
| Been Made | Undercover officer’s ID is known |
| Bhnd | Behind |
| Bike | Motorcycle |
| Bikers | Motorcycle riders |
| Booking | Booking prisoner into jail |
| Breaking Up | Radio transmissions are not being received clearly |
| Busted | Arrested |
| C.C.W | Carrying concealed weapon |
| C.O | Civilian observer |
| Comp | Complainant |
| C.L.D | Citation in lieu of detention |
| Crack, Rock | Smoke able form of cocaine |
| D.E.B | Drug Enforcement Bureau |
| D.I.X | Detectives |
| D.O.A | Dead on arrival |
| D.O.C | Department of Corrections |
| D.P.S | Department of Public Safety |
| Drive By | Shots fired from a moving vehicle |
| E.O.C | Emergency Operations Center |
| Equipment | Police vehicle |
| E.R | Emergency Room |
| E.T.A | Estimated time of arrival |
| F.A.A | Federal Aviation Administration |
| F.B.I | Federal Bureau of Investigation |
| F.I | Field Interrogation (Form 36 card) |
| File Stop | Notation put in police record; File Stops are confirmed by R&I Bureau |
| Flir | Device used by aircraft to check for heat sources |
| F.O.J | From other jurisdiction |
| Front Desk | Information Desk at main station |
| Fugitive | A wanted person |
| Gas Wash/Washdown | Fire Department needed to wash gas down |
| G.C.I/B.A | Test used to determine blood alcohol content |
| G.I.B | General Investigations Bureau |
Now Let’s have a look at common phrases and sayings used by police officers during their service.
Police Slang Phrases
Following are 10 of the very best and favorite cop / police slang phrases :
| AMF | Need to say goodbye to a not-so-friendly person? Try AMF, or Adios Mother Fucker. It’s a “farewell to someone you don’t especially like.” |
| Beat Wife | This one is the police version of the civilian “office wife.” It refers to “girlfriend(s) you keep at work.” |
| BFE | Did you get a radio call on the other side of town? You may be heading to “Butt Fucking Egypt.” |
| Curb Creature | Use this one for that familiar face, the “street creep who’s always getting stopped and told to sit on the curb while the cops run a record check.” |
| Dwhua | Motor officers may be most familiar with the syndrome DWHUA, or “Driving with Head up Ass.” |
| Flip Flop | If your territory includes public pools or beaches, you may need a term for the “theft of footwear usually occurring at public venues in which patrons must be barefoot.” |
| Holster Sniffer | This one may refer to women who date cops, according to Russ and Ron King. It may also refer to a wannabe cop and “street expert” who “tells real cops ‘I was going to be one’ |
| IPS | Use this one to signal a fellow officer that you’re moving past casual banter into “Important Police Shit.” IPS is used “to differentiate operational information from chatter in a casual conversation. ‘Hey, shut up a minute, I’ve got some IPS.'” |
| Robocop | Know an especially aggressive rookie. This nickname may stick to officers who are “stereotyped as strictly enforcing laws and rules without any regard for fairness, extenuating circumstances or explanations from those subject to the enforcement.” |
| Secret Service | Use this one for a subject who exhibits a certain nervous habit. It refers to “the act of a suspect constantly looking around to see who is watching.” |
Keep exploring EnglishBix for more resources on vocabulary related to professionals.
Quick Links
| American Slang Words and Phrases | British English Slang Words and Phrases |