Definition

Noun: A police van is a vehicle used by law enforcement to transport prisoners or detainees. It is typically a secure, enclosed van designed for this specific purpose.

Usage

This term specifically refers to the vehicle itself. It is a compound noun where "police" functions as a noun adjunct modifying "van," specifying the type and purpose of the van.

Examples

• The officers put the suspect in the police van.
• A police van arrived to take the arrested protesters to the station.
• The convoy included two patrol cars and a police van.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metonymically to represent the act of arrest or detention.
  • After the demonstration, several people saw the inside of a police van.

Variants and Related Words

• Paddy wagon (noun, informal): A slang term for a police van.
• Black Maria (noun, chiefly British, dated): A traditional term for a police van, often one painted black.
• Prisoner transport vehicle (noun): A more formal, descriptive term.

Synonyms

• Patrol wagon
• Squad van

Notes

"Police van" is a fixed compound noun. Its meaning is distinct from a standard "police car" (patrol car) or an "armored police vehicle."

Noun

1. van used by police to transport prisoners