Army vs. Police: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 7, 2023
The army is a country's land-based military force responsible for national defense. The police uphold civil law, ensuring safety and order within a community or nation.
Difference Between Army and Police
Army and police, both pivotal institutions in a nation, serve different core functions and face distinct challenges. The army represents a nation's land-based military force, trained for combat, and meant to defend against external threats or aggression. Their training is often intensive, focusing on warfare, strategy, and handling advanced weaponry. Conversely, the police force is a civilian body entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order within a country or community. Their primary role is to protect citizens, enforce laws, and prevent crimes.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 07, 2023
While the army is typically associated with larger-scale operations, often during times of war or international conflict, the police are more ingrained in daily civic life. The army deals with enemies of the state or external threats, preparing for combat and executing defense strategies. Meanwhile, the police interact directly with the public, handling issues ranging from traffic violations to criminal investigations. Their work is more localized and immediate.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 07, 2023
One striking difference between the two is the jurisdiction and areas of operation. Armies often operate in varied terrains and might even be deployed overseas, depending on a nation's foreign policy and defense agreements. In contrast, the police usually operate within specific cities, towns, or regions, having a more localized presence.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 07, 2023
Another noteworthy difference lies in their engagement rules. While both forces are equipped to use force, the circumstances under which they do so vary greatly. The army is trained to engage in combat, often involving lethal force, while police are trained with an emphasis on de-escalation and using force as a last resort, particularly in democratic societies.
William
Sep 07, 2023
Army vs. Police Comparison Chart
Typical Operations
Wars, defense strategies
Crime investigations, traffic management
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Sep 07, 2023
Army vs. Police Definitions
◉Army
A large organized body of armed personnel trained for war.
The army was deployed to defend the borders.
Olivia
Sep 07, 2023
◉Police
A civil force responsible for maintaining public order and safety.
The police were called to the scene of the accident.
Nolan
Sep 07, 2023
◉Army
A military force equipped mainly with heavy weapons.
The opposing army was larger but less equipped.
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Sep 07, 2023
◉Police
Officers of a law enforcement agency.
The police worked diligently to solve the case.
Leo
Sep 07, 2023
◉Police
A body tasked with the prevention and detection of crime.
The local police have initiated community outreach programs.
Elijah
Sep 07, 2023
◉Army
A branch of a nation's armed forces.
He joined the army right after finishing school.
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Sep 07, 2023
◉Police
A body of government employees trained in methods of law enforcement and crime prevention and detection and authorized to maintain the peace, safety, and order of the community.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
A body of persons with a similar organization and function
campus police. Also called police force.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
(Archaic) Regulation and control of the affairs of a community, especially with respect to maintenance of order, law, health, morals, safety, and other matters affecting the public welfare.
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May 03, 2023
◉Army
A tactical and administrative military unit consisting of a headquarters, two or more corps, and auxiliary forces.
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◉Police
(Informal) A group that admonishes, cautions, or reminds
grammar police.
fashion police.
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◉Army
A large group of people or things, especially when organized for a specific cause or purpose
the construction army that built the Panama Canal.
a banquet with an army of waiters.
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◉Police
The cleaning of a military base or other military area
Police of the barracks must be completed before inspection.
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May 03, 2023
◉Army
A large, highly organized military force, concerned mainly with ground (rather than air or naval) operations.
The army was sent in to quell the uprising.
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May 03, 2023
◉Army
Used absolutely for that entire branch of the armed forces.
The army received a bigger share of this year's budget increase than the navy or air force.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
To regulate, control, or keep in order with a law enforcement agency or other official group.
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◉Army
(often capitalized) Within a vast military, a very large tactical contingent (e.g. a number of divisions).
The Fourth Army suffered such losses that its remainders were merged into the Second Army, also deployed on the Western front.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
To impose one's viewpoint or beliefs regarding, especially in an authoritarian way
policing others' comments by implementing speech codes.
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May 03, 2023
◉Army
The governmental agency in charge of a state's army.
The army opposed the legislature's involvement.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
To critique in a presumptuous or arrogant manner
policed the grammar of everyone who commented on the blog post.
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May 03, 2023
◉Army
(figuratively) A large group of people working toward the same purpose.
It took an army of accountants to uncover the fraud.
On sunny days the beaches draw armies of tourists of all kinds.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
To make (a military area, for example) neat in appearance
policed the barracks.
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May 03, 2023
◉Army
(figuratively) A large group of social animals working toward the same purpose.
Our house is being attacked by an army of ants.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
A public agency charged with enforcing laws and maintaining public order, usually being granted special privileges to do so, particularly
Call the police!
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May 03, 2023
◉Army
(figuratively) Any multitude.
There was an army of construction cranes working on building the skyscraper.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
A department of local (usually municipal) government responsible for general law enforcement.
The Sheriff's Department has jurisdiction across most of Chicago but focuses on the unincorporated area and tasks like prisoner transport, leaving the rest to the Chicago Police Department.
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May 03, 2023
◉Army
The military as a whole.
The People's Liberation Army Navy of China.
The Yugoslav Army consisted of the Navy, Ground Forces, and Air Force.
Iran's army consists of the Navy, Ground Forces, and Air Force.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
(UK) A branch of the Home Office responsible for general law enforcement within a specific territory.
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May 03, 2023
◉Army
A collection or body of men armed for war, esp. one organized in companies, battalions, regiments, brigades, and divisions, under proper officers.
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◉Police
Any of the formally enacted law enforcement agencies at various levels of government.
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May 03, 2023
◉Army
A body of persons organized for the advancement of a cause; as, the Blue Ribbon Army.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
The staff of such a department or agency, particularly its officers; an individual police officer.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
People who try to enforce norms or standards as if granted authority similar to the police.
Who called the fashion police?
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May 03, 2023
◉Army
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
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◉Police
synonym of administration, the regulation of a community or society.
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May 03, 2023
◉Army
The ground forces of a nation.
The country's army is known for its discipline and training.
Nolan
Sep 07, 2023
◉Police
(transitive) To enforce the law and keep order among (a group).
Extra security was hired to police the crowd at the big game.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Police
A judicial and executive system, for the government of a city, town, or district, for the preservation of rights, order, cleanliness, health, etc., and for the enforcement of the laws and prevention of crime; the administration of the laws and regulations of a city, incorporated town, or borough.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
That which concerns the order of the community; the internal regulation of a state.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
The organized body of civil officers in a city, town, or district, whose particular duties are the preservation of good order, the prevention and detection of crime, and the enforcement of the laws.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
Military police, the body of soldiers detailed to preserve civil order and attend to sanitary arrangements in a camp or garrison.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
The cleaning of a camp or garrison, or the state a camp as to cleanliness.
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May 03, 2023
◉Police
An organization engaged in the enforcement of official regulations.
The campus police ensure students' safety.
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Sep 07, 2023
◉Police
The act of maintaining order and authority.
They called for more police presence in the neighborhood.
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Sep 07, 2023
Army vs. Police Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main purpose of the army?
The main purpose of the army is national defense against external threats.
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Sep 07, 2023
Do police handle international conflicts?
No, the police handle local law enforcement, while the army deals with international conflicts.
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Sep 07, 2023
Who handles terrorism inside a country?
While the police handle internal threats, for significant threats like terrorism, both the police and specialized military units might collaborate.
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Sep 07, 2023
Who has a more localized presence?
The police have a more localized presence, often within specific cities or regions.
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Sep 07, 2023
Who maintains law and order within a community?
The police are responsible for maintaining law and order within communities.
Lucas
Sep 07, 2023
Can someone be in both the army and the police?
Typically, they are distinct roles, but one can serve in the army and later join the police, or vice versa.
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Sep 07, 2023
Is the training for the army and police similar?
No, army training focuses on warfare and strategy, while police training emphasizes law enforcement and community interaction.
Jonathan
Sep 07, 2023
Which force uses heavy artillery?
The army is equipped with heavy artillery, while the police use more conventional weapons suited for urban areas.
Levi
Sep 07, 2023
Can the army intervene in civil matters?
In most democratic societies, the army doesn't intervene in civil matters unless there's a declared state of emergency.
Olivia
Sep 07, 2023
Which force has a regular and direct engagement with the public?
The police have regular and direct engagement with the public, handling daily law and order issues.
Henry
Sep 07, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
