COP JARGON Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does ATF stand for?

Bureau of Criminal Investigation

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (correct)

Agency of Firearms

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

What is BCI?

Background Criminal Investigation

What does 'Beat' refer to in police jargon?

An area allocated to a police officer to patrol.

What is a bomb blanket?

A blanket composed of multiple layers of Kevlar, with vent holes, used around a bomb. Signup and view all the answers

What does CI stand for?

Confidential Informant Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Collar' mean in police jargon?

An arrest. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'Cop a plea'?

To plead guilty to a lesser charge. Signup and view all the answers

What does DEA stand for?

Detective Endowment Association Signup and view all the answers

What does DOA mean?

Dead On Arrival Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Do him' mean?

Short for 'do him in.' Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Drop a dime' refer to?

Informing the authorities about someone's criminal activity. Signup and view all the answers

What does EMS stand for?

Emergency Medical Service Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Flake' refer to in police terminology?

Illegally planting narcotics on a suspect. Signup and view all the answers

What is a felony?

An offense punishable by death or imprisonment for more than one year. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Get over' mean?

To fool someone. Signup and view all the answers

What is a grand jury?

A group of citizens determining if there's enough evidence to indict. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Hit' slang refer to?

Murdering someone, raiding a place, or diluting heroin. Signup and view all the answers

What is an M-80?

A very powerful firecracker. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Mini-14?

.223 caliber semi-automatic carbine. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'The man' mean in slang?

A police officer or someone important. Signup and view all the answers

What does M.O. stand for?

Modus Operandi Signup and view all the answers

What is an MP-5?

A Heckler and Koch 9 mm sub-machine gun. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Nagra?

A high-quality recording device used in law enforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What is a night watch?

The midnight to 8:00 a.m. shift for detectives. Signup and view all the answers

What does OC stand for?

Organized Crime Signup and view all the answers

What does PBA stand for?

Policemen's Benevolent Association Signup and view all the answers

What is a pedigree in police terms?

Identification and criminal history of a suspect. Signup and view all the answers

What is a PIN register job?

Determining what numbers are called in or out on a telephone. Signup and view all the answers

What is a predicate felon?

An individual with a prior felony conviction increasing their current sentence. Signup and view all the answers

What does population refer to in a prison context?

The general population of inmates in prison. Signup and view all the answers

What does the RICO Act stand for?

Racketeering-influenced Corrupt Organization Act Signup and view all the answers

What is a Scott airpack?

A self-contained breathing apparatus. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Skell' mean?

A dirty, disheveled, low-life individual. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Spike' refer to in drug culture?

A syringe. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Stroll' mean in police terminology?

The area where streetwalkers ply their trade. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Threads' refer to?

Clothes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a true bill?

An indictment handed down by a grand jury. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Walther .380?

A small semi-automatic pistol. Signup and view all the answers

What is a wiseguy?

A member of organized crime connected to the Mafia. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Works' refer to in drug slang?

The equipment used by a junkie to inject heroin. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Law Enforcement Terminology

ATF: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, part of the U.S. Treasury Department.
BCI: Background Criminal Investigation, essential for vetting individuals.
Beat: Specific area assigned to a police officer for regular patrol.
Bomb blanket: Layered Kevlar blanket used to contain shrapnel during a bomb explosion.
CI: Confidential informant, a private source of information for law enforcement.
Collar: A term used for making an arrest.
Cop a plea: Pleading guilty to a lesser charge to secure a lighter sentence.
DEA: Detective Endowment Association, representing detectives’ interests.
DOA: Acronym for Dead on Arrival, indicating a victim pronounced dead at the scene.
Do him: Slang for committing murder or assassination.

Informant and Investigation Terms

Drop a dime: Informing authorities about someone’s criminal activity, historically through payphones.
EMS: Emergency Medical Services, responsible for ambulance operations.
Flake: Illegally planting narcotics on a suspect as a justification for arrest.
Felony: Serious crime punishable by over one year of imprisonment, categorized as A, B, C, D based on severity.
Get over: To deceive or trick someone.

Legal Processes and Crime Analysis

Grand jury: Group determining whether there's enough evidence for an indictment, based on credible evidence standards.
Hit: Can refer to assassination, raiding premises, or diluting drugs.
M.O.: Modus Operandi, describes an individual's consistent method of committing crimes.
Predicate felon: A repeat felony offender whose previous crimes impact sentencing for new charges.

Firearms and Equipment

Mini-14: A .223 caliber semiautomatic carbine made by Strum Ruger.
MP-5: A well-known 9 mm sub-machine gun manufactured by Heckler and Koch.
Nagra: High-quality recording device, typically unfamiliar to users regarding operation.

OC: Organized crime, encompassing structured criminal groups.
PBA: Policemen's Benevolent Association, a union for police patrol officers.
Pedigree: Refers to a suspect's identification and criminal history.
Population: General demographic of prison inmates, providing insight into incarceration trends.
RICO Act: Statute aimed at prosecuting individuals involved in organized criminal enterprises, enhancing legal action against racketeering.

Miscellaneous Slang and Terms

Scott airpack: Self-contained breathing apparatus utilized in hazardous environments.
Skell: A derogatory term for a scruffy, low-life individual.
Spike: Slang for a syringe commonly used to inject drugs.
Stroll: Area where streetwalkers or sex workers operate.
Threads: Casual term for clothing, often used in street language.

Summary of Criminal Justice Terms

True bill: An indictment issued by a grand jury signifying enough evidence for charges.
Walther .380: Small semiautomatic pistol, famously associated with fictional figures like James Bond.
Wiseguy: Slang for individuals affiliated with organized crime, particularly the Mafia.
Works: Refers to a drug user's paraphernalia for injecting heroin.

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Description

Test your knowledge of essential law enforcement terminology with these flashcards. This quiz covers significant acronyms and terms commonly used in police work, such as ATF and BCI. Perfect for those studying criminal justice or preparing for related careers.