police

Everyday

1. The police are the people whose job is to keep everyone safe, help people in danger and make sure the laws are kept. tree →
2. A police officer is one person who works for the police. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: people or cars counted; police officers in groups or shifts; «officers per car» is a rate. Safety: in an emergency call the police (999 in the UK and Ireland, 911 in the USA and Canada, 000 in Australia, 111 in New Zealand); a police officer is a safe person to ask for help if you are lost. In stories: the police catch a thief. Phrases: call the police, police officer, police car, police station, the police are coming.

Examples

• There are 12 police officers at the station. tree →
• Each police car has 2 officers. tree →
• 4 police cars came. tree →
• How many police officers work in 3 shifts of 8? tree →
• If you are lost, ask a police officer for help. tree →
• The police are looking for the missing dog. tree →
• A police car went past with its siren on. tree →
• We visited the police station on our school trip. tree →
• They hurried off to consult the police and see what could be done. tree →

Note

Use a plural verb: «the police are», not «the police is». One person is «a police officer» (older words: policeman, policewoman). A counted group; «officers per car» is a rate. No clue by itself. Trap: «police» is a group word, count «officers» or «cars».