Law Enforcement & Police Acronyms
- C. Edward
- Oct 6, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 8
In the complex world of law enforcement, acronyms and legislative terms often serve as shorthand for intricate concepts, specialized units, and legal statutes. These terms not only facilitate quick communication among professionals but also encapsulate broader themes and practices that are essential to the field. Whether you're a seasoned law enforcement officer, a legal scholar, or a concerned citizen looking to understand the nuances of public safety and justice, familiarizing yourself with these terms can offer valuable insights.
This article aims to demystify the jargon by providing an extensive list of acronyms and legislative terms commonly used in law enforcement. From the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) to the VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), we'll break down what each acronym stands for. So, let's dive in and decode the language that shapes our understanding of law enforcement in America.
What Are Law Enforcement Acronyms and Why They Matter
In modern law enforcement, acronyms function as operational shorthand for complex concepts, units, laws, and investigative practices. They allow officers, investigators, supervisors, and partner agencies to communicate quickly and precisely in reports, briefings, and high-stress situations. Understanding these acronyms is essential for accurately interpreting police reports, court documents, training materials, and public safety communications.
How Law Enforcement Acronyms Are Used in Practice
Law enforcement acronyms appear across nearly every stage of the criminal justice (CJ) process. They are used in dispatch communications, investigative notes, interview documentation, evidence tracking, court filings, policy manuals, and after-action reviews. While acronyms increase efficiency, they can also create confusion for those unfamiliar with the terminology, making reference guides like this one especially valuable.
Common Law Enforcement Acronyms by Function
Although the list below is presented alphabetically for ease of reference, law enforcement acronyms are commonly associated with specific functional areas, including:
Patrol and field operations
Criminal investigations and interviewing
Crisis response and negotiations
Evidence handling and forensic analysis
Courts, statutes, and legal process
Federal, state, and multi-agency task forces
Understanding the operational context behind each acronym helps clarify how it is applied in real-world policing and investigative work.
Comprehensive List of Law Enforcement Acronyms and Terms
AAR: After-Action Review
AC: Area Command
AD: Accidental Discharge
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
ADVOKATE: Amount of time, Distance, Visibility, Obstructions, Known suspect, Any reason to remember, Time lapse, Errors or discrepancies.
ADW: Assault with a Deadly Weapon
AED: Automated External Defibrillator
AKA: Also Known As
ALI: Automatic Location Identification
AMBER Alert: America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response
ANI: Automatic Number Identification
AO: Arrest Order
APB: All Points Bulletin
AREP: Agency Representative
ATC: Attempt To Contact
ATI: Attempt To Identify
ATL: Attempt To Locate
AVL: Automatic Vehicle Location (GPS)
B&E: Breaking and Entering
BAC: Blood Alcohol Concentration
BATNA: Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement
BC: Beat Car
BOLO: Be On the Lookout
BUI: Building Unit Identifier
BWC: Body Worn Camera
BWV: Body Worn Video
CA: Case Agent / Child Abuse
CAC: Child Advocacy Center
CAD: Computer-Aided Dispatch
CAPS: Community Policing Strategy
CBA: Cleared By Arrest
CCI: Civilian Criminal Investigator
CCTV: Closed-Circuit Television
CCW: Concealed Carry Weapon
CD: Case Detective
CDR: Call Detail Record
CFR: Code of Federal Regulations
CFS: Call For Service
CI: Confidential Informant / Cognitive Interview
CID: Criminal Investigations Division
CIR: Criminal Incident Report
CIS: Cognitive Interview for Suspects
CIT: Crisis Intervention Team
CISM: Critical Incident Stress Management
CJC: Criminal Justice Center
CJIS: Criminal Justice Information Services (FBI)
CLEET: Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training
CNT: Crisis Negotiation Team
CO: Correctional Officer / Commanding Officer
COC: Chain of Custody (evidence)
CODIS: Combined DNA Index System
COML: Communications Unit Leader
COP: Chief of Police
COPS: Community Oriented Policing Services
CP: Complaining Party / Calling Party
CPN: Calling Party's Number
CPS: Child Protective Services
CR: Context Reinstatement (Cognitive Interview)
CRASH: Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums (LAPD)
CS: ortho-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (tear gas)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSO: Community Service Officer
CST: Child Sex Trafficking
CYA: Cover Your Actions (informal but real)
DA: Devil's Advocate
DC: Deputy Chief
DCF: Department of Children and Families
DMV: Department of Motor Vehicles
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid
DOA: Dead on Arrival
DOB: Date Of Birth
DOC: Department of Corrections
DRE: Drug Recognition Expert
DRT: Dead Right There
DUI: Driving Under the Influence
DUI-D: Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
DV: Domestic Violence
DW: Detention Warrant
DWI: Driving While Intoxicated
EBP: Evidence-Based Policing
ECC: Emergency Communications Center
EDP: Emotionally Disturbed Person
EI: Emotional Intelligence
EOC: Emergency Operations Center
EOD: Explosive Ordnance Disposal
ERT: Emergency Response Team
ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival
FEP: False Evidence Ploy
FFA: Federal Firearms Act
FI: Field Interview
FMBUS: Firearm Manufactured By Unlicensed Subject
FOP: Fraternal Order of Police
FSC: Finance Section Chief
FTA: Failure To Appear
FTD: Field Training Deputy
FTO: Field Training Officer
GOA: Gone on Arrival
GIU: Gang Intelligence Unit
GSR: Gunshot Residue
HAZMAT: Hazardous Materials
HGN: Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus
HOBAS: Hostage Barricade Database System (FBI)
HRT: Hostage Rescue Team
HT: Hostage Taker / Human Trafficking (more common)
HUMINT: Human Intelligence
Hx: "History" shorthand for notes/boards (criminal, mental health, police case, etc.)
IA: Internal Affairs
IADLEST: International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards & Training
ICAC: Internet Crimes Against Children (task force)
ICR: Initial Crime Report
ICS: Incident Command System
IED: Improvised Explosive Device
IIT: Independent Investigative Team (Officer Involved and Critical Incidents)
IGG: Investigative Genetic Genealogy
INV: Investigation
IO: Investigating Officer
IPV: Intimate Partner Violence (domestic violence)
IR: Interview Room
IW: Interviewed Witness
JUVN: Juvenile
K&R: Kidnap and Ransom
LE: Law Enforcement
LEA: Law Enforcement Agency
LEIN: Law Enforcement Information Network
LEMAS: Law Enforcement and Administrative Management Statistics
LEO: Law Enforcement Officer
LKA: Last Known Address
LKP: Last Known Position
LNO: Liaison Officer
LOI: Location of Incidenet
LOR: Level of Resistance
LPR: License Plate Reader
LRAD: Long Range Acoustic Device
M/C: Motorcycle
MADD: Mothers Against Drunk Driving
MCCA: Major Cities Chief's Association
MCD - Machinegun Conversion Device (switch/"Glock switch")
MCT: Mobile Computer Terminal
MDMA: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine / ecstasy (tablet form)
MDT: Mobile Data Terminal
ME: Medical Examiner
MI: Motivational Interviewing
MIR: Miranda Rights
MO: Modus Operandi
MoJ: Ministry of Justice (UK)
MP: Military Police
MVA: Motor Vehicle Accident
NC: No Case / No Crime
NFA: National Firearms Act / No Further Action
NFI: No Further Information
NGO: Nongovernmental Organization
NHTSA: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NIA: Non-Injury Accident
NIBIN: National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (ATF)
NIBRS: National Incident-Based Reporting System
NICS: National Instant Criminal Background Check System
NIJ: National Institute of Justice (research & development for DOJ)
NIMS: National Incident Management System
NMVTA: National Motor Vehicle Theft Act (Dyer Act, 1919)
NOC: Negotiations Operations Center / Command
NOD: Notice of Disposition
NRTAC: National Resource and Technical Assistance Center (NPI)
OA: On Arrival
OC: Oleoresin Capsicum (pepper spray)
OI: Officer-Involved
OIC: Officer In Charge
OII: Officer-Involved Incident
OIS: Officer-Involved Shooting
OOJ - Outside Jurisdiction
OPSEC: Operational Security
OR: Offense Report / Own Recognizance (bond)
OSC: Operations Section Chief
OSINT: Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT resources)
OUI: Operating Under the Influence
OWI: Operating While Intoxicated
PAL: Police Athletic/Activities League
PAT: Patrol
PBT: Preliminary Breath Test
PC: Probable Cause / Passenger Car (Traffic Accidents/Citations/NCIC)
PCP: Probable Cause Packet
PD: Police Department
PFA: Protection From Abuse order
PFS: Protection From Stalking order
PIC: Person In Crisis
PII: Personally Identifiable Information
PMF: Privately Manufactured Firearm (ghost gun)
PNC: Police National Computer (UK)
POC: Police Operations Center
POI: Person of Interest
POV: Personally-Owned Vehicle
PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
PSAP: Public Safety Answering Point
PSB: Problematic Sexual Behavior
PSR: Police Service Representative
PTO: Police Training Officer
PSU: Professional Standards Unit / Peer Support Unit
PTSD: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PV: Parole Violation / Probation Violation
RA: Referred to Agency
RTCC: Real-Time Crime Center
RTIC: Real-Time Information Center
RCT: Randomized Control Trial
RHD: Robbery-Homicide Division
RMS: Records Management System
RO: Reporting Officer
ROE: Rules of Engagement
ROR: Release on Recognizance
RP: Reporting Party
RT: Red Teaming
Rx: Medical Prescription (death investigations)
SA: Sexual Assault
SAECK: Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit
SAKI: Sexual Assault Kit Initiative
SANE: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
SART: Sexual Assault Response Team
SAR: Search and Rescue
SAR: Situation, Assessment, Recommendation (Crisis / Hostage Negotiations)
SIS: Special Investigations Section
SMT: Scars, Marks, Tattoos
SO: Sheriff's Office
SO: Safety Officer (NIMS)
SOC: Scene of Crime
SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
SoS: Shift of Strategy (SUE Technique)
SRO: School Resource Officer
SRT: Special Response Team
SSN: Social Security Number
SVU: Special Victims Unit
SW: Search Warrant
SWAT: Special Weapons and Tactics
TAC: Tactical
TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury
TED: Tell, Explain, Describe
TEDS: Tell, Explain, Describe, Show
TFL: Task Force Leader
TK: Truck
TO: Training Officer
TOC: Tactical Operations Center / Command
TOD: Time Of Death
TS: Time Served
UCR: Uniform Crime Reporting
UAV: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UC: Undercover
UOF: Use of Force
USC: United States Code
UTC: Universal Coordinated Time
VA: Victim's Assistance
VC: Victim Coordinator
VIC: Victim
VICAP: Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (FBI)
VIP: Very Important Person
VOCA: Victims of Crime Act
VRO: Violence Restraining Order
WIT: Witness
WMD: Weapons of Mass Destruction
WPA: Witness Protection Act
WPS: Witness Protection Scheme
WT: Wiretap
XO: Executive Officer
ZT: Zero Tolerance
How to Use This Law Enforcement Acronym List
This resource is designed to support a wide range of users:
Law enforcement officers and investigators seeking a quick reference during reports, briefings, or training
Supervisors and command staff establishing shared terminology for policy, coaching, and reviews
Attorneys, analysts, and researchers interpreting investigative and court documents
Journalists, students, and community members looking to better understand law enforcement language
Note: Acronym usage may vary by agency, jurisdiction, or country. Always confirm local definitions when accuracy is critical.
Related Law Enforcement Resources
If you’re interested in how many of these acronyms are applied in real investigative settings, you may also find value in related topics such as science-based interviewing, interview and interrogation terms, crisis negotiation, evidence handling, red teaming, and investigative planning frameworks.
Conclusion
Understanding the acronyms and terms associated with law enforcement is more than just mastering shorthand; it's about gaining a deeper insight into the complex mechanisms that keep our society safe and just. This list of law enforcement acronyms serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to navigate the intricate web of agencies, units, and legal frameworks that shape our national security landscape. From the ATF to the USSS, each acronym represents a dedicated group of professionals committed to upholding the law and protecting the American people. Whether you're in the field of law enforcement, studying criminal justice, or simply a concerned citizen, we hope this list enhances your understanding and appreciation of the work being done at all levels of law enforcement to maintain law and order.
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