collective nouns

[andrew crookes]

simple question - if refering to a particular police force in a document, would it be 'Midshires Police is' or should it be 'Midshires Police are'

[souba]

Hi Andrew,

The word 'Police' is treated as plural. Since you want to refer to a particular police force i.e. Midshires Police, definite article 'the' is not required. But in all other cases, 'Police' would take 'the' before it. For example: Call the police.
Here 'Midshires Police are' is correct.

Have a good day.

[Mister Micawber]

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I would consider the definite article optional in AmE.
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