law enforcement officer

American  

[law en-fawrs-muhnt aw-fuh-ser, of-uh-ser] / ˈlɔ ɛnˌfɔrs mənt ˌɔ fə sər, ˌɒf ə sər /

noun

1. a government employee whose main duties involve preventing, detecting, or punishing violations of the law; police officers, state troopers, sheriffs, rangers, etc., when considered collectively. LEO

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Etymology

Origin of law enforcement officer

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

With the NFL draft looming, record-setting USC and Georgia receiver Zachariah Branch was arrested for obstructing public sidewalks and a law enforcement officer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

“You have to be a balance between a law enforcement officer and a cowboy,” he says.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

I think they’re waiting for something that they can pitch plausibly as a completely unprovoked act of violence, or interference by a local or state law enforcement officer.

From Slate • Jan. 16, 2026

In either case, constitutional standards for use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer will be the measure of his actions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

The tall man was the Texas Attorney General, the chief law enforcement officer for the state.

From "Holes" by Louis Sachar