to the police vs to police

Both "to the police" and "to police" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "To the police" is used when referring to a specific group of law enforcement officers, while "to police" is used when talking about the act of regulating or controlling a situation.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 880 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"to the police"

Use "to the police" when referring to a specific group of law enforcement officers. It indicates that something is being reported or communicated to them.

Examples:

I reported the incident to the police.
She went to the police station to file a complaint.
The witness gave a statement to the police.
The victim identified the suspect to the police.
The stolen items were returned to the police.

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Yes, please tell that to the police.
Otherwise I guess you would have gone straight to the police.
And ask them to take you to the police.
You have to go back to the police and tell them about Kurt.
He's got ties to the police.
You admitted to the police you were there.
He has been reported to the police, and wants some oranges.
No. He seemed perfectly normal yesterday when I saw him talking to the police.
The idea of revealing such personal details to the police.
The report you gave to the police was spectacular.
I'd lie to the police or anything.
He never reported to the police.
The parcel was waylaid and ended up being delivered to the police.
He didn't report it to the police, either.
And that one was hard to explain to the police.
Bring your papers to the police.
Look, I told all this to the police last night.
J said nothing to the police... about the guy's identity.
Giving false statements to the police.
Which he failed to report to the police.

Alternatives:

to law enforcement
to the authorities
to the cops
to the constabulary
to the officers

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"to police"

Use "to police" when referring to the act of regulating or controlling a situation. It is a verb phrase that describes the action of maintaining order or discipline.

Examples:

It is important to police your own behavior.
The teacher had to police the students during the exam.
The company hired security to police the event.
The manager needs to police the employees' conduct.
Parents must police their children's online activities.

Show examples from the web [+]

Assange surrendered to police in London.
Go to police and get your teeth reset.
Hold positions and cede to police.
Look for any discrepancies with what she said compared to police interviews.
He's made inflammatory statements to police, to co-workers, to our agent at Petawawa.
Early this morning, Australian vigilante serial killer, John Doe, surrendered to police.
I reported you to police for looking in my window.
The body will be reported to police by first responders from another city agency.
Well, no wonder he lied to police.
She lied to police about you beating her up.
When I reported him missing and showed his picture to police, they directed me here.
I don't know if I should go to police.
And I give this to police.
You may want... â talk to police.
I go to police... maybe they send me back to Hungary.
I go to police... maybe they send me back to Hungary.
He donates to police charities every year.
She refused to give her name to police at first.
This thing, we send to police.
He lied to police, hacked files, stole cadavers.

Alternatives:

to regulate
to control
to monitor
to oversee
to supervise

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to the police vs to police

"to the police"

"to police"

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