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

Her diagnosis came shortly after President Donald Trump ousted her from the post of America's top law enforcement officer, according to the BBC's US partner CBS News.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Garcia, a career law enforcement officer who has cast himself in the political mold of conservative Texas Democrats Rep. Henry Cuellar and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, is an archetypal candidate for a competitive race like this.

From Slate • May 22, 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

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

From "Holes" by Louis Sachar