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

---

Etymology

Origin of law enforcement officer

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

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

From Barron's

The No Vigilantes Act required any law enforcement officer operating in California to visibly display identification, including the name of their agency and their name or badge number, except in undercover and other specific scenarios.

From Los Angeles Times

“That is especially true when the only witness to an event is a law enforcement officer.”

From Los Angeles Times

Richard Lamb, a 70-year-old retired federal law enforcement officer who lives in Spotsylvania, Va., said he enjoyed “The Widow,” but did find some plot holes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Court records filed last year in the custody dispute repeatedly describe Palacios as an “ICE officer” and “federal law enforcement officer.”

From Los Angeles Times