beat cop
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A police officer who patrols the streets on foot (walks the beat).
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Others understand community policing as a style of community integration in which the beat cop specifically withholds enforcement as a way to build community contacts.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “beat cop” mean?
A police officer who patrols the streets on foot (walks the beat).
Is “beat cop” formal or informal?
beat cop is generally slang.