What is "police officer"

Police \Po*lice"\, n. [F., fr. L. politia the condition of a state, government, administration, Gr. ?, fr. ? to be a citizen, to govern or administer a state, fr. ? citizen, fr. ? city; akin to Skr. pur, puri. Cf. Policy polity, Polity.]

1. A judicial and executive system, for the government of a city, town, or district, for the preservation of rights, order, cleanliness, health, etc., and for the enforcement of the laws and prevention of crime; the administration of the laws and regulations of a city, incorporated town, or borough.

2. That which concerns the order of the community; the internal regulation of a state.

3. The organized body of civil officers in a city, town, or district, whose particular duties are the preservation of good order, the prevention and detection of crime, and the enforcement of the laws.

4. (Mil.) Military police, the body of soldiers detailed to preserve civil order and attend to sanitary arrangements in a camp or garrison.

5. The cleaning of a camp or garrison, or the state ? a camp as to cleanliness.

   Police commissioner, a civil officer, usually one of a board, commissioned to regulate and control the appointment, duties, and discipline of the police.

   Police constable, or Police officer, a policeman.

   Police court, a minor court to try persons brought before it by the police.

   Police inspector, an officer of police ranking next below a superintendent.

   Police jury, a body of officers who collectively exercise jurisdiction in certain cases of police, as levying taxes, etc.; -- so called in Louisiana.
   --Bouvier.

   Police justice, or Police magistrate, a judge of a police court.

   Police offenses (Law), minor offenses against the order of the community, of which a police court may have final jurisdiction.

   Police station, the headquarters of the police, or of a section of them; the place where the police assemble for orders, and to which they take arrested persons.

n. A peace officer and member of a police force, i.e. policeman or policewoman.

n. a member of a police force; "it was an accident, officer" [syn: policeman, officer]

A police officer, also known as a policeman, police agent or by slang terms, is a warranted law employee of a police force. In the United States, "officer" usually is the formal name of the lowest police rank. In many other countries, "officer" is a generic term not specifying a particular rank, and the lowest rank is often "constable". In some nations the use of the rank "officer" is legally reserved for military personnel. Police officers are generally charged with the apprehension of criminals and the prevention and detection of crime, protection and assistance of the general public, and the maintenance of public order. Police officers may be sworn to an oath, and have the power to arrest people and detain them for a limited time, along with other duties and powers. Some police officers may also be trained in special duties, such as counter-terrorism, surveillance, child protection, VIP protection, civil law enforcement, and investigation techniques into major crime including fraud, rape, murder, and drug trafficking. Although many police officers wear a corresponding uniform, some police officers are plain-clothed in order to dissimulate as ordinary citizens.

Police Officer is a 1992 Hindi movie directed by Ashok Gaikwad and starring Jackie Shroff, Karisma Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Sadashiv Amrapurkar. Other cast members include Aruna Irani and Satyajeet.