Glossary
Police Technology Glossary
Hello, I'm a student in Police Technology this is my third year, and I created this 20 word glossary to help anyone in my program to learn some essential words for the job or simply for people who wants to expand their vocabulary.
- alibi
- noun
- A claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, especially a criminal one, is alleged to have taken place.
- Example: "Forget it Adam, she had an alibi. She didn't kill Gary Jackson.".
- fr: alibi
- accused
- noun
- A person or group of people who are charged with or on trial for a crime.
- Example: The accused was ordered to stand trial on several charges.
- fr: accusé
- charge
- verb
- Accuse (someone) of something, especially an offense under law.
- Example: They were charged with assault.
- fr: accuser
- delinquency
- noun
- Minor crime, especially that committed by young people.
- Example: They tried to steer him away from delinquency by giving him a job in their store.
- fr: délinquance
- discretionary power
- adjective
- The professional autonomy that an individual who is practicing a profession governed by rules and guidelines such as interpreting has in order to exercise their own professional judgment.
- Example: The discretionary power to set aside was unconditional and the purpose of the power was to avoid injustice.
- fr: pouvoir discrétionnaire
- exhibit
- noun
- A physical or documentary evidence brought before the jury.
- Example: The defendant agreed to replace the plaintiff's roof for 1000$, see the contract which is marked and attached as Exhibit “A”.
- fr: pièce à conviction
- fine
- noun
- A penalty that requires the convicted person to pay to the public treasure a sum of money fixed by law after an offense has been committed.
- Example: The gild brothers associated in mutual defence and support, and they had to share in the payment of fines.
- fr: amende
- hideout
- noun
- A hiding place, especially one used by someone who has broken the law.
- Example: Next, the victim would be taken to a hideout and denied any opportunity to recognize his surroundings.
- fr: Cachette
- hit-and-run
- phrase
- A motor accident in which the vehicle involved does not stop.
- Example: The desire for accountability in the classic hit-and-run, or in a fraud committed by a total stranger, is seldom of this fourth type.
- fr: délit de fuite
- hooliganism
- noun
- Willful wanton and malicious destruction of the property of others.
- Example: Boys are more likely to engage in petty theft, vandalism, football hooliganism, mugging and riot behaviour (Muncie 1989 :62) whilst for girls 'crimes' are more likely to include running away from home, breaking curfew rules and unruly behaviour.
- fr: vandalisme
- indict
- verb
- Formally accuse of or charge with a serious crime.
- Example: His former manager was indicted for fraud.
- fr: accuser
- inmate
- noun
- A person confined to an institution such as a prison or hospital.
- Example: He's an inmate of the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
- fr: détenu
- kettling
- noun
- Confinement by police of a group of demonstrators or protesters in a small area, as a method of crowd control.
- Example: The courts have been clear that kettling is a last resort.
- fr: nasse
- nightstick
- noun
- It's a police officer's club or billy.
- Example: No one in his entourage was allowed to carry a gun or a nightstick or any other weapon.
- fr: matraque
- plea
- noun
- A formal statement by or on behalf of a defendant or prisoner, stating guilt or innocence in response to a charge, offering an allegation of fact, or claiming that a point of law should apply.
- Example: He changed his plea to not guilty.
- fr: plaidoyer
- prosecution
- noun
- The institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge.
- Example: They lacked the funds to embark on private prosecutions.
- fr: poursuite
- shadowing
- verb
- To follow and observe (someone) closely and secretly.
- Example: He had been up all night shadowing a team of poachers.
- fr: filature
- snitch
- noun
- An informer or informant.
- Example: They thought he was a plant or a snitch.
- fr: Informateur
- trial
- noun
- A formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.
- Example: The newspaper accounts of the trial.
- fr: procès
- warrant
- noun
- A document issued by a legal or government official authorizing the police or some other body to make an arrest, search premises, or carry out some other action relating to the administration of justice.
- Example: Magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest.
- fr: mandat
