Cops vs Police

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Cops

Slang Top 2,000 (common)

Police

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 noun

Most formal: Police Most common: Police

	Cops	Police
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //kɒps// 🇺🇸 //kɑps//	🇬🇧 /["/pəˈliːs/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/pəˈliːs/"]/
Meaning	A slang term for police officers.	The people who keep the law and help everyone stay safe.
Example	The cops arrived quickly after the accident.	The police arrived quickly to handle the situation.
Register	Slang	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	-	A1
Part of speech		noun
Collocations	call the cops, cops and robbers, cops on the beat, friendly cops	armed, mounted, plain-clothes, call, contact, alert, arrest somebody, detain somebody, catch somebody, captain, chief, commissioner, helping the police with their enquiries, in police custody
Antonyms	criminals, lawbreakers	criminal, offender
Common mistakes	Misuse 'cops' in formal writing., 'Cops' is plural; don't use it as a singular., Confuse with 'copper', which can also mean police but is older slang.	Confused with 'policy', meaning rules or guidelines., Using 'police' as a singular instead of plural., Mixing up the noun 'police' with the verb 'to police'.
Usage notes	Used informally to refer to police officers, mostly in casual conversation. Avoid in formal contexts.	Use 'police' when talking about law enforcement in general. Avoid in informal contexts where you might say 'cops' instead. Ideal for news, discussions about safety, or legal matters.

See it in real clips

The Mob has plans. The cops have plans.

Better Call Saul › S1 E1

- Okay. - Somebody call the cops!

or in a jailhouse with the cops ?

The Mob has plans. The cops have plans.

Better Call Saul › S1 E1

- Okay. - Somebody call the cops!

Cops

Band Of Brothers › S1 E1

It's from the chief of the Kokomo Police.

Now, how was he caught by the police?

Better Call Saul › S1 E1

- Don't call the police. Don't call. - Call them myself.

Band Of Brothers › S1 E1

It's from the chief of the Kokomo Police.

Now, how was he caught by the police?

Police

Frequently asked questions: Cops vs Police

What's the difference between Cops and Police?

Cops: A slang term for police officers. Police: The people who keep the law and help everyone stay safe.

Which is more formal: Cops and Police?

Police is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Cops and Police?

Police is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Cops: The cops arrived quickly after the accident. Police: The police arrived quickly to handle the situation.

Can I use Cops and Police interchangeably?

Not always. Cops and Police are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.