Law enforcement vocabulary in Spanish. Covers roles, ranks, equipment, actions, and locations for policing context.
This guide covers essential Spanish vocabulary for law enforcement, including roles, ranks, equipment, actions, and locations to help you understand and communicate within police contexts.
Here are the key law enforcement roles in Spanish, from patrol officers to detectives.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| el policía / la policía | los policías / las policías | police officer | police officers | La policía llegó rápido al lugar. | The police officer arrived quickly at the scene. |
| el detective / la detective | los detectives / las detectives | detective | detectives | El detective investiga el caso con cuidado. | The detective investigates the case carefully. |
| el sargento | los sargentos | sergeant | sergeants | El sargento dirigió la operación nocturna. | The sergeant led the night operation. |
| el capitán | los capitanes | captain | captains | La capitán supervisa a todo el equipo. | The captain supervises the entire team. |
| el agente de tránsito | los agentes de tránsito | traffic officer | traffic officers | El agente de tránsito controla el accidente. | The traffic officer manages the accident. |
| el custodio | los custodios | custody officer | custody officers | El custodio vigila a los detenidos. | The custody officer watches over the detainees. |
| el jefe de policía | los jefes de policía | police chief | police chiefs | El jefe de policía anunció nuevas medidas. | The police chief announced new measures. |
| el oficial | los oficiales | officer | officers | Los oficiales patrullan el vecindario. | The officers patrol the neighborhood. |
| el inspector | los inspectores | inspector | inspectors | La inspectora revisó los documentos. | The inspector reviewed the documents. |
| el investigador | los investigadores | investigator | investigators | El investigador encontró nuevas pruebas. | The investigator found new evidence. |
El ___ dirigió la operación nocturna.
Who is in charge of leading a night operation?
sargento
Sargento means sergeant, who typically leads operations. Detective investigates, capitán supervises, and oficial patrols.
Common Spanish police ranks, from entry-level to command.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| recluta | reclutas | recruit | recruits | El recluta está en entrenamiento. | The recruit is in training. |
| cabo | cabos | corporal | corporals | El cabo organizó al grupo. | The corporal organized the squad. |
| sargento | sargentos | sergeant | sergeants | El sargento dio la orden. | The sergeant gave the order. |
| teniente | tenientes | lieutenant | lieutenants | El teniente llegó al lugar del crimen. | The lieutenant arrived at the crime scene. |
| capitán | capitanes | captain | captains | El capitán planificó la operación. | The captain planned the operation. |
| comandante | comandantes | commander | commanders | El comandante supervisó la redada. | The commander supervised the raid. |
| coronel | coroneles | colonel | colonels | El coronel tiene años de experiencia. | The colonel has years of experience. |
| comisario | comisarios | commissioner | commissioners | El comisario habló con los medios. | The commissioner spoke with the media. |
| inspector | inspectores | inspector | inspectors | El inspector revisó el informe. | The inspector reviewed the report. |
| jefe de policía | jefes de policía | chief of police | chiefs of police | El jefe de policía implementó nuevas normas. | The chief of police implemented new rules. |
El ___ dio la orden.
Who gave the order in the operation?
sargento
Sargento means sergeant, who often gives orders. Teniente is lieutenant, coronel is colonel, and inspector reviews reports.
Essential law enforcement equipment vocabulary in Spanish.
| Singular | Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la pistola | las pistolas | pistol | pistols | El policía lleva una pistola. | The officer carries a pistol. |
| las esposas | (plural only) | handcuffs | handcuffs | El sospechoso fue esposado. | The suspect was handcuffed. |
| la porra | las porras | baton | batons | El policía usó la porra para defenderse. | The officer used the baton to defend himself. |
| el chaleco antibalas | los chalecos antibalas | bulletproof vest | bulletproof vests | El agente lleva un chaleco antibalas. | The agent wears a bulletproof vest. |
| la radio | las radios | radio | radios | La policía se comunica por la radio. | The police communicate via radio. |
| el silbato | los silbatos | whistle | whistles | El agente tocó el silbato para llamar la atención. | The officer blew the whistle to get attention. |
| la linterna | las linternas | flashlight | flashlights | Usaron una linterna en la inspección. | They used a flashlight during the inspection. |
| el coche patrulla | los coches patrulla | patrol car | patrol cars | El coche patrulla llegó rápido. | The patrol car arrived quickly. |
| el uniforme | los uniformes | uniform | uniforms | Todos llevaban el uniforme oficial. | Everyone wore the official uniform. |
| la cámara corporal | las cámaras corporales | body camera | body cameras | El policía activó la cámara corporal. | The officer activated the body camera. |
Common verbs used in Spanish law enforcement contexts.
| Spanish Infinitive | English Infinitive | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| arrestar | to arrest | La policía arrestó al sospechoso. | The police arrested the suspect. |
| investigar | to investigate | El detective investiga el robo. | The detective investigates the robbery. |
| patrullar | to patrol | Los oficiales patrullan el barrio. | The officers patrol the neighborhood. |
| interrogar | to interrogate | Interrogamos al testigo toda la noche. | We interrogated the witness all night. |
| detener | to detain | Detuvieron a varios sospechosos. | They detained several suspects. |
| denunciar | to report | Denunciaron un accidente en la calle. | They reported an accident on the street. |
| identificar | to identify | Identificaron al sospechoso por las cámaras. | They identified the suspect through the cameras. |
| proteger | to protect | Nuestra misión es proteger a la comunidad. | Our mission is to protect the community. |
| perseguir | to pursue | La policía persiguió al ladrón a pie. | The police pursued the thief on foot. |
| custodiar | to guard | Custodian la evidencia con cuidado. | They carefully guard the evidence. |
Important law enforcement locations in Spanish.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la comisaría | las comisarías | police station | police stations | Fui a la comisaría a hacer la denuncia. | I went to the police station to file a report. |
| la celda | las celdas | jail cell | jail cells | El detenido está en la celda número 3. | The detainee is in jail cell number 3. |
| la patrulla | las patrullas | patrol | patrols | La patrulla pasó por el vecindario. | The patrol passed through the neighborhood. |
| la sala de interrogatorios | las salas de interrogatorios | interrogation room | interrogation rooms | Llevamos al sospechoso a la sala de interrogatorios. | We took the suspect to the interrogation room. |
| la evidencia | (singular only) | evidence | Encontraron nueva evidencia en la escena. | They found new evidence at the scene. | |
| el interrogatorio | los interrogatorios | interrogation | interrogations | El interrogatorio duró varias horas. | The interrogation lasted several hours. |
| la denuncia | las denuncias | report / complaint | reports / complaints | Presentaron una denuncia por robo. | They filed a report for theft. |
| el arresto | los arrestos | arrest | arrests | El arresto se realizó sin incidentes. | The arrest was made without incident. |
| la vigilancia | (singular only) | surveillance | La vigilancia aumentó en el área. | Surveillance increased in the area. | |
| el vehículo policial | los vehículos policiales | police vehicle | police vehicles | El vehículo policial llegó en minutos. | The police vehicle arrived within minutes. |
These are the foundational terms you need for discussing law enforcement in Spanish. Practice these with real-world conversations to build confidence.
Encontraron nueva ___ en la escena.
What is the Spanish word for 'evidence'?
evidencia
Evidencia means evidence. Denuncia is report, vigilancia is surveillance, and arresto is arrest.
Flashcards (1 of 50)
- English Singular: police officer
- English Plural: police officers
- English Example: The police officer arrived quickly at the scene.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
