Policing Glossary
Field Of Study Glossary
Police Technology is a program that future police student will need to attend over a course of three years to then be eligible to enter the police academy and become a police officer in the province of Quebec. The purpose of this glossary is to make you learn more about the policing vocabulary that is used in this field of study.
- back-up
- noun
- Police that are called to support or help.
- Example: We're calling for back-up now that we know she has a gun.
- fr: aide ou support
- bail
- noun
- Large amount of money that someone pays as a promise to appear in court.
- Example: Your husband's bail is posted at $20,000.
- fr: caution

- court
- noun
- A tribunal presided over by a judge, judges, or a magistrate in civil and criminal cases.
- Example: She will take the matter to court.
- fr: tribunal

- crime
- noun
- An action or omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law.
- Example: Stealing from someone is a serious crime.
- fr: crime

- criminal
- noun
- A person who has committed a crime.
- Example: These men are dangerous criminals.
- fr: criminel

- cruiser
- noun
- A police car.
- Example: Please step out of your vehicle and get into the police cruiser.
- fr: auto de patrouille

- district
- noun
- A division of a geographical area patrolled by a police force.
- Example: In which district are you patrolling today.
- fr: quartier

- DUI
- noun
- Driving after drinking too much alcohol (Driving Under the Influence).
- Example: Your record says that you have two previous DUI.
- fr: conduire en état d'ébriété

- evidence
- noun
- Something that furnishes proof.
- Example: We found an evidence at the crime scene that could help us solve the crime.
- fr: évidence

- felony
- noun
- A major crime.
- Example: Murder is considered a felony and is punishable by life in prison.
- fr: crime majeur

- fingerprints
- noun
- An impression or mark made on a surface by a person's fingertip, especially as used for identifying individuals from the unique pattern of whorls and lines.
- Example: The police had his fingerprints on file.
- fr: empreintes

- firearms
- noun
- Weapons that shoot.
- Example: It is illegal to carry unregistered firearms such as riffles and pistols.
- fr: armes à feu
- handcuffs
- noun
- Metal rings that attach to wrists to keep criminals from escaping.
- Example: We put your boyfriend in handcuffs because we saw him climbing through your window and thought he was an intruder.
- fr: menottes
- in custody
- noun
- Under police control.
- Example: You will be happy to know that we have taken the kidnapper into custody.
- fr: en garde à vue

- intruder
- noun
- A person who enters a home or business illegally.
- Example: Someone called to report an intruder on the third floor.
- law enforcement
- noun
- The department of people who enforce laws, investigate crimes, and make arrests.
- Example: Law enforcement officials in the area were alerted of the suspect's escape.
- fr: forces de l'ordre

- minor
- noun
- A person under the age of full legal responsibility.
- Example: The court would take account of the minor's wishes.
- fr: mineur

- patrol
- verb
- An expedition to keep watching over an area, especially by guards or police walking or driving around at regular intervals.
- Example: We were ordered to investigate on a night patrol.
- fr: patrouille
- radar
- noun
- Radio waves transmission that helps police track cars and map crime scenes.
- Example: According to our radar you were driving well-above the speed limit.
- fr: radar
- witness
- verb
- To see something happen.
- Example: Three people witnessed the murder, but they are afraid to speak.
- fr: témoin
