Difference between Police and Cop

Key difference: A police officer is a government official, who looks after the law enforcement in a specific city, municipality, town or village. The term ‘cop’ is slang which is used to refer to a police officer.

The police are government officers who maintain the law and order in the city. They belong to the law enforcement organization. The main goal of this organization is to promote public safety and the welfare of the state through education, regular patrols and crime investigation.

Police The police force first originated in 1700s to enforce law and policy for the people. One of the first truly organized police forces was the Metropolitan Police of London, after which many regional police forces are modeled.

According to Wikipedia, the general duty of a police officer is to capture the criminals, prevent and detect crime, and maintain public order. Police officers are usually sworn to an oath. They have the power to arrest people and detain them for a limited time, along with other responsibilities. Some police officers are also trained in special duties, such as counter-terrorism, surveillance, child protection, VIP protection, and investigation techniques into major crime, including fraud, rape, murder and drug trafficking.

Police officers have a limited local jurisdiction, usually within the boundaries of a city or town. Their responsibilities vary and differ from political context to another. Within their jurisdiction, the typical duties of the police is keeping the peace, public safety, citing and arresting people, and the investigation of crimes. They also perform a variety of public services including safety education and security within city limits. Officers are expected to respond to a variety of situations that may arise while they are on duty. There are guidelines, which help an officer on how they should behave in their community. Police officers in nearly all countries retain their lawful powers, even off duty.

Police Officers, in general, are referred to as ‘Cops’. They are warranted employees of the police force. In the United States, "officer" is the formal name of the lowest police rank.

	Police/Cop
Definition	He is an official empowered by the state to enforce the law, protect property, and limit civil disorder.
Election	He is a government official.
Authorization	He has authority over a specified area of the county i.e. town or city.
Characteristics	They are sworn to oath. Their responsibilities vary and differ from political context to another. They also perform a variety of public services including safety education and security within city limits. There are rules and guidelines, which dictate how an officer should behave within the community. Some may exercise power off duty.
Jurisdiction	They have limited jurisdiction.