policing

American  

[puh-lee-sing] / pəˈli sɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of maintaining public order and security, enforcing the law, or regulating or controlling something, by or as if by members of a police force.

   No matter what style is adopted for the policing of a community, officers must use discretion in interpreting the activities of citizens.

   Careful family use of the internet doesn't need to be a punitive policing of children's activities online.

2. Military. the act of cleaning up a camp or post or of keeping it clean.

   After the major’s visit, the policing of the entire camp and all the fighting positions improved 100 percent.

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Other Word Forms

• self-policing adjective

Etymology

Origin of policing

First recorded in 1830–40; police ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The SRG is tasked with policing both peaceful protests and terrorist attacks, a dangerous dual responsibility.

From The Wall Street Journal

Much of the backlash has been aimed specifically at Flock — a heavyweight in the surveillance market that contracts with a reported 5,000 U.S. policing agencies.

From Los Angeles Times

"We are very clear around the support that we offer to hate crimes or to hate crime victims and that it is an absolute priority for policing, to protect the victims in society."

From BBC

He said those comments were out of step with his views on policing today.

From The Wall Street Journal

For example, former New York mayor Bill de Blasio's relationship with police unions became hostile after he called out racial disparities in policing, Smikle said.

From BBC

Related Words

• police
• police force