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

Bondi was removed from her role as America's top law enforcement officer by President Donald Trump last week.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Coberg acted as an investigator and told the victim he was an active-duty law enforcement officer.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 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

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

From "Holes" by Louis Sachar