police
Loading your saved state.
police
The state institution responsible for maintaining public safety and order, as well as investigating and prosecuting crimes.
Nach dem Einbruch haben wir sofort die Polizei gerufen.
After the break-in, we called the police immediately.
police station
A building that houses a police department; a police station.
Ich muss zur Polizei gehen, um den Diebstahl zu melden.
I have to go to the police station to report the theft.
Although 'die Polizei' refers to a group of people, the word is a singular noun in German. Therefore, a singular verb is always used.
Die Polizei ist schon auf dem Weg.
The police are already on their way.
To express movement, you use 'zur Polizei gehen' (to go to the police / police station). To describe a place or affiliation, you use 'bei der Polizei' (at/with the police).
Er musste wegen seines verlorenen Ausweises zur Polizei.
He had to go to the police because of his lost ID.
Common verbs used with 'Polizei' in the meaning of 'institution' are 'rufen' (to call), 'alarmieren' (to alert), or 'verständigen' (to notify).
Die Nachbarn haben wegen des Lärms die Polizei verständigt.
The neighbors notified the police because of the noise.
guard / station
Polizei and Wache can both refer to the building that houses a police station. „Polizei“ actually refers to the institution and denotes the building only from context, whereas „Wache“ explicitly names the place of duty but can also refer to other guard stations.
Ich gehe kurz zur Polizei, um den Diebstahl zu melden.
I’m just going to the police station to report the theft.
Ich gehe kurz zur Wache, um den Diebstahl zu melden.
I’m just going to the station to report the theft.
