shore patrol

American  

noun

1. (often initial capital letters) members of an organization in the U.S. Navy having police duties similar to those performed by military police. SP

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shore patrol British  

noun

1. a naval unit serving the same function as the military police

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Etymology

Origin of shore patrol

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

A shore patrol was instituted to catch anyone attempting to engage in trade.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

With order restored, the Navy canceled all leave while its shore patrol was doubled.

From Time Magazine Archive

In San Francisco, a streetcar crashed with complete abandon into a Navy shore patrol wagon, drew cheers from watching sailors.

From Time Magazine Archive

In Oakland, Calif., the shore patrol arrested Bertha Watson for impersonating a WAC, after noting that she wore a colonel's eagle on one shoulder, a general's star on the other.

From Time Magazine Archive

One important addition was the creation of black shore patrol units for which a school was started at Great Lakes.

From Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965 by MacGregor, Morris J.