The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state with the aim to enforce the law, ensure the safety, health, and possessions of citizens, and prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and the use of force when necessary. Police typically maintain public order and safety, enforce the law, and prevent, detect, and investigate criminal activities. They are responsible for various tasks such as protecting life and property, enforcing criminal law, criminal investigations, regulating traffic, crowd control, public safety duties, civil defense, emergency management, and searching for missing persons and lost property. The term "police" comes from Middle French police, which is derived from the Latin politia, and ultimately from the Ancient Greek politeia, meaning "citizenship, administration, civil polity".
A police officer is a government employee who protects lives and property, enforces law and order in communities, and investigates crimes.
