Choice of preposition

[TheParser]

"We relied on our sources in the police." -- A British journalist.

I cannot explain why (probably it's due to my ignorance about English grammar), but I am not comfortable with his choice of preposition.

Would you suggest another preposition that would also fit in that sentence?


THANK YOU

 

[White Hat]

sources with the police

 

[TheParser]

Thank you, Teacher Bennevis.

 

[5jj]

For me, a speaker of BrE, 'in' or 'within' are natural. In fact, I don't think that anyone would use 'with' here.

 

[White Hat]

For me, a speaker of BrE, 'in' or 'within' are natural. In fact, I don't think that anyone would use 'with' here.

Me neither. But...

The Los Angeles Times reported in its Wednesday issue that the splotches on the driveway were blood stains and that sources with the police had said that blood was also found in Mr. Simpson's car.

By SETH MYDANS
Published: June 15, 1994

 

[White Hat]

Here is one more (US):

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]They talked to sources with the police, hospitals, shelters, the electric companies, and to tree-cutters and others.[/FONT]

 

[SlickVic9000]

(Not a Teacher)

I get the same feeling about this sentence too, Parser.
For some reason, I want to add "department" after police. The sentence just doesn't feel "balanced" without it, if that makes any sense.

 

[bhaisahab]

Another BrE/AmE difference.

 

[5jj]

Another BrE/AmE difference.

I'm just going to have to cross the pond and teach them English. sigh.