Definition

Noun: A specialized unit within a police department tasked with enforcing laws related to specific moral or public order offenses, particularly those involving gambling, prostitution, and often drugs and alcohol.

Usage

The term "vice squad" is used to refer to the specific police team responsible for investigating and combating activities deemed as vice crimes. It functions as a singular collective noun.

Examples: * The vice squad conducted a raid on the illegal casino last night. * Undercover officers from the vice squad infiltrated the prostitution ring. * He was arrested by the vice squad for operating an unlicensed gambling den.

Advanced Usage

• The concept and focus of a vice squad can vary by jurisdiction, sometimes including enforcement against pornography, obscenity, or underage drinking.
• The term can be used metaphorically or humorously to describe any group overly concerned with monitoring others' moral behavior.

Variants and Related Words

• Vice (noun): Behavior considered immoral, depraved, or degrading, often involving illegal activities like those policed by a vice squad.
• Vice officer (noun): A police officer who is a member of the vice squad.

Synonyms

• Morals division
• Vice unit
• Vice bureau

Related Idioms & Phrases

• To be/vanish/go into Vice: To join or be assigned to the vice squad.
  • After five years in patrol, she decided to go into Vice.

Noun

1. a police group to enforce laws against gambling and prostitution