Changes

from Middle French policier, from police conduct of [[public]] affairs

from Middle French policier, from police conduct of [[public]] affairs

First attested in [[English]] c.1530, the [[word]] police comes from Middle French police, in turn from [[Latin]] politia, which is the romanization of the [[Greek]] "πολιτεία" (politeia), "[[citizenship]], [[administration]], civil polity" and that from "πόλις" (polis), "city". In ancient Greece the term "πολισσόος" (polissoos), referred to a [[person]] who was "guarding a city". This term comes from polis + "σῴζω" (sozo), "save, keep".

First attested in [[English]] c.1530, the [[word]] police comes from Middle French police, in turn from [[Latin]] politia, which is the romanization of the [[Greek]] "πολιτεία" (politeia), "[[citizenship]], [[administration]], civil polity" and that from "πόλις" (polis), "city". In ancient Greece the term "πολισσόος" (polissoos), referred to a [[person]] who was "guarding a city". This term comes from polis + "σῴζω" (sozo), "save, keep".

*Date: [http://www.wikipedial.org/wiki/16th_Century 1589]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedial.org/wiki/16th_Century 1589]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1 archaic : [[govern]]

*1 archaic : [[govern]]

*5 : to [[perform]] the [[functions]] of a police [[force]] in or over

*5 : to [[perform]] the [[functions]] of a police [[force]] in or over

==Description==

==Description==

The '''police''' are [[persons]] empowered to enforce the [[law]], protect [[property]] and reduce civil disorder. Their [[powers]] include the legitimized use of [[force]]. The term is most commonly [[associated]] with police services of a [[state]] that are authorized to [[exercise]] the police [[power]]  of that state within a defined [[legal]] or territorial area of [[responsibility]]. Police forces are often defined as [[organizations]] separate from any [[military]] forces, or other [[organizations]] involved in the [[defense]] of the state against foreign agressors; however, ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gendarmerie gendarmerie]'' and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_police military police] are military units charged with policing.

The '''police''' are [[persons]] empowered to enforce the [[law]], protect [[property]] and reduce civil disorder. Their [[powers]] include the legitimized use of [[force]]. The term is most commonly [[associated]] with police services of a [[state]] that are authorized to [[exercise]] the police [[power]]  of that state within a defined [[legal]] or territorial area of [[responsibility]]. Police forces are often defined as [[organizations]] separate from any [[military]] forces, or other [[organizations]] involved in the [[defense]] of the state against foreign agressors; however, ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gendarmerie gendarmerie]'' and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_police military police] are military units charged with policing.

[[Law]] enforcement, however, [[constitutes]] only part of policing [[activity]]. Policing has included an array of activities in different situations, but the predominant ones are concerned with the [[preservation]] of [[order]]. In some [[societies]], in the late 18th century and early 19th century, these [[developed]] within the [[context]] of maintaining the class system and the protection of [[private]] [[property]].

[[Law]] enforcement, however, [[constitutes]] only part of policing [[activity]]. Policing has included an array of activities in different situations, but the predominant ones are concerned with the [[preservation]] of [[order]]. In some [[societies]], in the late 18th century and early 19th century, these [[developed]] within the [[context]] of maintaining the class system and the protection of [[private]] [[property]].

Alternative names for police force include constabulary, gendarmerie, police department, police service, crime prevention, protective services, law enforcement agency, civil guard or civic guard. Members can be police officers, troopers, sheriffs, constables, rangers, peace officers or civic/civil guards. Russian police and police of the Soviet-era Eastern Europe are (or were) called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militsiya militsiya]. The Irish police are called the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garda_S%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na Garda Síochána] ("guardians of the [[peace]]"); a police officer is called a garda. As police are often in [[conflict]] with [[individuals]], slang terms are numerous. Many slang terms for police officers are decades or centuries old with lost etymology.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police]

Alternative names for police force include constabulary, gendarmerie, police department, police service, crime prevention, protective services, law enforcement agency, civil guard or civic guard. Members can be police officers, troopers, sheriffs, constables, rangers, peace officers or civic/civil guards. Russian police and police of the Soviet-era Eastern Europe are (or were) called [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militsiya militsiya]. The Irish police are called the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garda_S%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na Garda Síochána] ("guardians of the [[peace]]"); a police officer is called a garda. As police are often in [[conflict]] with [[individuals]], slang terms are numerous. Many slang terms for police officers are decades or centuries old with lost etymology.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police]

[[Category: Law]]

[[Category: Law]]