constabulary

 
Pronunciation: /kənˈstabjʊləri/

noun (plural constabularies)

British
  • a police force covering a particular area or city: the Royal Irish Constabulary

adjective

[attributive]
  • relating to a constabulary: the constabulary strength was 13,000 men

Origin:

late 15th century (denoting the district under the charge of a constable): from medieval Latin constabularia (dignitas) '(rank) of constable', from constabulus, based on Latin comes stabuli (see constable)