term:

Police

police vt

po·liced
po·lic·ing
: to control, regulate, or keep in order esp. as an official duty [ the area]
n pl: police
1 : the control and regulation of affairs affecting the order and welfare of a political unit and its citizens
2 a : the department of a government or other institution that maintains order and safety and enforces laws
b : police force
c
pl

: the members of a police force

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.