police station
An operational base where a public police force mobilizes personnel and provides law-enforcement services.
Pictured: Polizeistation Harvestehuder Weg
A police station is a space where public law enforcement personnel are mobilized and perform their basic services, such as handling suspects, interacting with victims, and providing services to the population.
It is distinct from a police headquarters, which is the central administrative center for a police department. In many places this usage is combined with a jail.
The station provides a base for operational policing and public-facing services. Administrative work or a jail can share the site, while the department's central administrative headquarters has a separate role.
In other languages
- Deutsch
- Eine Basis für Strafverfolgungsbehörden repräsentiert durch die Polizei.
police station Photos
More specific definitions
5 sub-definitions-
highway police station
A police base for officers responsible for enforcing traffic and other laws on major highways. -
municipal police station
A police base operated by a city, town, village, township, or comparable municipal authority. -
national police station
A police station used by a national government force rather than a regional or municipal force. -
regional police station
A base office for a police department under a government between the city level and the national level. -
water patrol station
A base for police or security personnel who patrol harbors, waterways, lakes, or open water, usually by boat.
Related definitions
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air raid defense
A ground-based defensive position designed to engage attacking aircraft, including flak towers and gun emplacements. -
air raid shelter
A space specially designed and designated to protect people during bombardment or air raids. -
ambulance station
A base where ambulances, emergency medical personnel, and equipment are kept ready for deployment. -
disaster control
Space used for mobilization of personnel or resources to control the effects of catastrophes. -
emergency call center
A place that receives emergency telephone calls and relays them to the appropriate responders. -
fire station
A building or complex used to keep firefighting crews and equipment ready and mobilize them for emergencies. -
police headquarters
The administrative offices of a municipal or governmental police department. -
traffic enforcement
A location used directly to detect or enforce traffic-law violations, through personnel or automatic equipment.