traffic cop

noun

Informal.

1. a police officer who directs the flow of traffic, usually at an intersection.

traffic cop

noun

1. informal,  a policeman who supervises road traffic

Word History and Origins

Origin of traffic cop¹

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

Dashcam footage showed Stevenson — an 11-year department veteran who previously worked as a traffic cop on the Westside — making a U-turn on Balboa moments before the collision, and racing down the street.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Five Scottish tries in the bag, a 27-point lead on the board and Finn Russell directing his players around the pitch with the authority of the world's greatest traffic cop.

Read more on BBC

While he pointed out he’s “not a traffic cop,” Zalatoris believes “there’s got to be an easier way to do this.”

Read more on Seattle Times

Trump's chief of staff, Mark Meadows, took on the role of traffic cop, managing many of the various conspirators as they worked their own angles.

Read more on Salon

“He was a traffic cop tonight,” Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux said.

Read more on Seattle Times