Law Enforcement Terms
The act of detaining a person by legal authority.
Arrest
A legal document authorizing a search of property.
Search Warrant
Techniques used for self-defense and controlling subjects.
Defensive Tactics
The communication center that coordinates officers and resources.
Dispatch
Material used to establish facts in a legal investigation.
Evidence
A written notice to appear in court, typically for minor infractions.
Citation
Rights read to an individual upon arrest, including the right to remain silent.
Miranda Rights
Techniques to reduce the intensity of a conflict or situation.
De-escalation
A system of numeric codes used for radio communication.
10-Codes
The formal questioning of a suspect or witness.
Interrogation
A serious crime punishable by more than a year in prison.
Felony
The application of physical or non-physical means to control a situation.
Use of Force
Instruction on the safe handling and use of firearms.
Firearms Training
A written account of an event or crime.
Incident Report
Monitoring activities for the purpose of gathering information.
Surveillance
A less serious crime, typically punishable by less than a year in jail.
Misdemeanor
Tools and techniques used to subdue individuals without causing fatal harm.
Non-lethal Force
Ethical and professional standards for officers.
Code of Conduct
A person who sees an event and can provide testimony.
Witness
Reasonable grounds for making an arrest or conducting a search.
Probable Cause
The act of chasing a suspect to apprehend them.
Pursuit