Definition
Police officers or security personnel who move around an area to maintain order and safety.
Etymology
From 'patrol' (from French 'patrouille,' possibly from 'patte' meaning paw, suggesting soldiers prowling), plus 'men' (from Old English 'mann'). Emerged as law enforcement became organized.
Kelly Says
The word 'patrol' might come from soldiers 'prowling' like animals (from 'patte'—paw)—a reminder that early policing was literally seen as hunting for criminals.
Translations
CACatalà
mossos d'esquadra
moh-sos deh-es-kwat-rah
CSČeština
policisté
poh-lee-see-steh
DADansk
politibetjente
poh-lee-tee-bet-yen-tuh
DEDeutsch
Polizeibeamte
poh-lee-tsay-beam-tuh
ELΕλληνικά
αστυνομικοί
as-tee-noh-mee-kee
ESEspañol
policías
poh-lee-thee-as
FISuomi
poliisit
poh-lee-see-t
FRFrançais
agents de police
ah-zohn duh poh-leece
HEעברית
שוטרים
sho-ta-rim
HIहिन्दी
पुलिसकर्मी
poo-lis-kar-mee
HUMagyar
rendőrök
rend-rohk
IDBahasa Indonesia
polisi
poh-lee-see
IGIG
ndị uwe ojii
ndi-u-we-oh-jee
ITItaliano
poliziotti
poh-lee-tchoh-tee
KKKK
полиция
poh-lee-tsee-ya
KO한국어
경찰관
gyeong-chal-gwan
MSBahasa Melayu
polis
poh-lees
NLNederlands
politieagenten
poh-lee-tee-ah-hen-ten
NONorsk
politibetjenter
poh-lee-tee-bet-yen-ter
PLPolski
policjanci
poh-lee-tsee-ants-ee
PTPortuguês
policiais
poh-lee-see-us
RORomână
polițiști
poh-lee-tee-shtee
RUРусский
полицейские
pah-lee-tsee-skye
SWKiswahili
polisi
poh-lee-see
TAதமிழ்
பணியாளர்கள்
pa-ni-ya-la-r-gal
TEతెలుగు
పోలీసు
poh-lee-soo
TRTürkçe
polis memurları
poh-lis meh-mur-luh-ri
UKУкраїнська
поліцейські
pah-lee-tsee-skye
VITiếng Việt
nhân viên cảnh sát
nhien-vyeon-canh-sat
ZUZU
izikhulu
ee-zee-khulu
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Generic masculine term defaulting to 'men' despite mixed-gender workforces. Normalized male presence as universal in law enforcement.
Inclusive Usage
Use 'patrol officers' or 'patrol personnel' instead. Applies equally regardless of gender.
Inclusive Alternatives
["patrol officers","law enforcement personnel","officers"]
Empowerment Note
Women joined U.S. patrol services in the 1970s-80s; language should reflect their equal presence from the start.