The police is / are

Question

Hi I'm an English teacher from Germany, but nevertheless I'm unsure whether you say 'The police is...' or 'The police are...'.

Actually the only phrase that sounds correct to me is the second one.

Could someone prove me wrong or right?

Thanks for your help...

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

'Police' is always plural (except when it is used qua word, as in this sentence).

The police are coming; they are out to get me.

RayH · Answer

Mister Micawber'Police' is always plural (except when it is used qua word, as in this sentence).
The police are coming; they are out to get me.

This brings up an interesting question, MM, I always had your understanding (well, I still do actually) until I watched a TV show called The Wire. It's a police drama set in Baltimore and the cops frequently refer to themselves and each other as "a police" as in these examples:
I've wanted to be a police ever since I was a kid.
Are you a police or not?
Those are the breaks when you're a police.

This is the only time I have ever heard this usage and I have to say I find it jarring to the ear. I wonder if anyone out there is from the Baltimore area and can confirm this usage? Or is it just a contrivance of the producers of the TV show?

Mister Micawber · Answer

First I've heard it, too (I don't watch much TV).  I hope it's just Baltimorean.

Anonymous · Answer

do we say in german polizei sind? The name of the institution is Police from the greek politia meaning govern, when you work for the police you are police officer or a constable not a police!!Therefore it is the police is looking for the murderer and not police are looking for the murderer.

Anonymous · Answer

True, we do say "a police drama" because "drama" is the noun and "police" is the adj. So, it's "a drama" ...
And when "a police" refers to himself as such, he really means "a police officer or policeman / police woman"...

In English, we use a plural verb with police:
e.g. The police are investigating the murder, but haven't arrested anyone yet.

So we have for example...
1. That's a police show/drama/action film, etc....
2. A police (a police officer or man/woman) was at the door.
NOTE that we say a police officer / a policeman / a police woman (not "a police")

Other words in the Englisch language which take the plural verb:
trousers - My trousers are too long. Or: Those are nice jeans.
pyjamas - (top and bottom)
glasses - (two pieces) My glasses are broken. I need to buy a new pair.
binoculars
sissors

Also, we think of a sum of money, a period of time, a distance etc. as one thing. Therefore, singular verb:
Twenty thousand pounds (= it) was stolen in a robbery.
Three years (=it) is a long time to be without a job. (not "Three years are" as is the case in the German language)
Six miles is a long way to walk every day. (In German: Sechs Meilen sind ...)

rampersaud

Anonymous · Answer

What is "qua word?"

Fivejedjon · Answer

AnonymousWhat is "qua word?"

qua - as, in the sense of, in the capacity of.

Anonymous · Answer

I think the word "officer" is implied in these dialogues.

Anonymous · Answer

Police is (American English)
Police are (British English)
Police (Aggregate Noun)

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousPolice is (American English)

No.

Police are ... / The police are ... / The police force is ... / The police officer is ... (AmE)

CJ

The police is / are

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