Police

• Engels
• Praktijkonderwijs
• Leerjaar 1

English for Police

Aim:

• We cover language needed by police officers in an English-speaking context.
• These lesson will help you learn vocabulary and phrases that will be useful when you encounter English speakers.

Today:

• English for Police
  
• Police Vocabulary
  
• Police Vocabulary Quiz
• Asking for Identification (ID) and Information 
• Reading exercise

The word "Police"

In English the word police is a collective noun. 

We usually treat it as plural and say, for example: 

The police are coming. 

The words policeman or policewoman can be singular or plural, for example: The policeman is asking questions. 

Three policewomen are coming.

As a police officer you have one of the most important jobs in the world: to serve and protect the people. While you are fighting crime and handling emergencies you probably come across many English speakers. Some may commit crimes, while others may be victims of crime. In both cases, you need to ask and answer questions in English. Your job may also require you to speak to English witnesses. Time can be a key factor in solving a crime or saving a life. You cannot always wait for an interpreter. These pages will help you learn vocabulary and phrases that will be useful when you encounter English speakers. Do the exercises and take the quizzes to test your knowledge and understanding.

English for Police:

As a police officer you have one of the most important jobs in the world: 

to serve and protect the people. 

When doing your job, you probably come across many English speakers.                  Some may commit crimes, while others may be victims of crime. 

In both cases, you need to ask and answer questions in English. Your job may also require you to speak to English witnesses. Time can be a key factor in solving a crime or saving a life. You cannot always wait for an interpreter. 

Police Vocabulary

In this lesson you learn language that police need in an English-speaking context. 

In the next slide, there are some examples. Each word is shown with its contextual meaning and an example sentence.

When a man commits a felony he gets taken into police

1. custody
2. gangs
3. squad

Convicted offenders can be fined or given a _______ sentence.

1. jail
2. cell
3. bail

In order to prevent a criminal suspect from escaping, police use

1. handcuffs
2. perpetrators
3. fingerprints

One of the first things detectives do at a crime scene is check for

1. cruisers
2. fingerprints
3. felonies

Asking for Identification (ID) and Information - English for Police

language needed by police seeking IDs and information in an English-speaking context.

ID is different in every country

• It is important to keep in mind that every country requires different documentation that proves someone's identification (ID). 
• In many countries such as Greece and Spain a national ID card is compulsory. Citizens are expected to have these cards on them at all times. 
• However, in other countries ID cards are not required. Police and officials in these countries often use another system to identify people, such as asking for two pieces of ID.

Example Sentences

• May I see some photo ID?
  
• Can I see your passport?
  
• Driver's license, please.
  
• Do you have your birth certificate?
  
• How long have you been in the country?
  
• Are you here for a holiday?
  
• Do you have another piece of ID?

Types of ID

• Passport
  
• Government-issued Photo ID card
  
• Driving licence/Driver's license
  
• Birth certificate
  
• Permanent residence card
  
• Social security card
  
• Medical/Health card
  
• Voter registration card

Some examples of Information/security items that may appear on documentation

Reading Exercise: Identity Fraud

Try this reading exercise about identity fraud:

1. read the vocabulary
   
2. try to fill in the blanks
   
3. check your answer

Useful vocabulary

Answers: