Po-līçe', n.

(-lēs'), n. [Fr. police, Sp. policía, It. po-lizia, from Lat. politia, Gr. πολιτεία, the condition of a state, government, administration, from πολιτεύειν, to be a citizen, to govern or administer a state, from πολίτης, citizen, from πόλις, city.]

1Sense 1. A judicial and executive system and an organized civil force for the government of a city, town, or district, for the preservation of order, cleanliness, health, &c., and for the enforcement of the laws; the administration of the laws and regulations of a city or incorporated town or borough. New Am. Cyc. Bouvier.

2Sense 2. The internal regulation and government of a kingdom or state.

The age of the Athenian Alexander, though still an unsettled age, was far less insecure in its condition of police. De Quincey.

3Sense 3. The body of civil officers, organized, generally in cities, for the preservation of good order, and the enforcement of the laws.

This force differs from military in its being commanded by civil officers, and not being under military law. It is employed alike to prevent and detect offenses, and may be either open or secret. Brande.

Police constable, an ordinary policeman; one whose duty is to perambulate on a certain beat for a fixed period, and to see that the peace is kept. Simmonds.—Police inspector, a superintendent of police. Simmonds.—Police jury, a body of officers who collectively exercise jurisdiction in certain cases of police, as levying taxes, and the like; — so called in Louisiana. Bouvier.—Police magistrate, a law-officer of justice who holds, or presides at, a police court.—Police officer, an officer intrusted with the execution of the laws of a city.—Police sergeant, a superior police officer. Simmonds.—Police station, the place where the police assemble for orders and to march out on duty, and to which they take offenders. Simmonds.