The police is/are...

[SoothingDave]

I would consider someone saying "the police is here" to be ill-educated. I have no doubt people say things like that. They also say "We was robbed!"

 

[konungursvia]

I would consider someone saying "the police is here" to be ill-educated. I have no doubt people say things like that. They also say "We was robbed!"

I respect your opinion, and will stop supporting my view on this particular thread after this message, but I don't think the comparison is a good one, as "we was" mixes singular and plural forms, whereas "the police" is originally singular, it's just that we have become very used to its use as a collective.

 

[Tdol]

ROTFLMAO.

Are the police as mistrusted in your 'hood as in mine? ;-)

The expression If you want to know the time, ask a policeman doesn't refer to well-organised police officers there to help, but to the old days when they had a reputation for stealing people watches when they were drunk. ;-)