self-policing

American  

[self-puh-lees-ing] / ˌsɛlf pəˈlis ɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of a group of people) independently monitoring the behavior of its own members and addressing any failure to abide by established rules or laws.

2. (of a system, program, etc.) having a built-in mechanism for detecting and stopping inadmissible actions.

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noun

1. the act, on the part of a group of people, of independently monitoring the behavior of its own members and addressing any failure to abide by established rules or laws.

2. the function of a mechanism built into a system, program, etc., that detects and stops inadmissible actions.

Example Sentences

The neurotic self-policing about the supposed rules of engagement has given way to something that looks more like confidence.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

A spokesperson for the commission issued a statement to The Times that called for more self-policing.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

The commissioner would be able to investigate integrity threats, free from the conflicts inherent in self-policing.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

Allowing the House Ethics Committee to accept outside complaints, she said, could reimpose a system of self-policing that left the panel nearly dormant two decades ago.

From Washington Times • Jan. 18, 2023

Officials hope mourners’ sense of fairness will make the line largely self-policing.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 14, 2022