A police officer is the official who enforces the law. Uniform or plain clothes, and a warrant card either way.
The phrase has largely replaced policeman and policewoman for the obvious reason. Ranks in Britain run from constable upwards through sergeant and inspector, and every rank is an officer, which differs from military usage where officers are the senior ranks only. Addressing one as officer is normal in America and slightly odd in Britain, where constable or nothing is more usual.
1nounpolice officerA member of a police force.
“Two police officers were waiting at the gate.”
Practised in A Man Called Ove, Jobs & Professions
First appears in chapter 34 of A Man Called Ove.
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