security police

American  

noun

1. a police force responsible for maintaining order at a specific locale or under specific circumstances, as at an airport or factory.

2. a police force concerned with detecting and preventing enemy espionage.

3. secret police.

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Etymology

Origin of security police

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

The inquiry also heard about a number of failings or near misses in the way security, police, paramedics and the media responded to the attack.

From BBC • May 30, 2025

Hours into their meeting, they approved a decision to form the party, catching the security police by surprise.

From New York Times • Jan. 12, 2024

He described being harassed by state security police over the years during “sensitive periods” around the anniversary date.

From Washington Times • Sep. 22, 2023

"The recent Koran burnings have, as the security police have said, affected the current security situation," Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said in the statement.

From Reuters • Aug. 4, 2023

“For instance, did you know there are people in this store—in all department stores, actually—who walk around looking like ordinary customers but are really security police making sure no one is stealing?”

From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper