What is the difference between 「警察」and 「警官」?


I understand that 警察 is a broader term to refer to the police in general, but
it can be used to refer to a police officer. In such case, is it equivalent to
警官 or there is still a difference between both words?

よろしくお願いします！




The difference is actually huge.

「警察{けいさつ}」 can refer to:

1) The **intangible** "police" as an institution. The whole system of policing
a nation, region, etc.

2) The **tangible** "police station" or "police department". Also called
「警察署{けいさつしょ}」

3) The informal form of 「警察官{けいさつかん}」 or 「警官{けいかん}」 = "a cop".

「警官{けいかん}」 only has one meaning.

1) "a policeman", "a cop". Synonymous to 「警察官{けいさつかん}」

Extra:

For the native speakers, the first word we learn to use for referring to a cop
is definitely 「 **おまわりさん** 」. You are **_not_** going to hear a toddler say:

「さっき警察官に『こんにちは』って言われた。」 or

「あそこに警官がふたり立ってる。」

The kind of toddler who would say those would be considered かわいくない.




The difference is actually huge.

「警察{けいさつ}」 can refer to:

1) The **intangible** "police" as an institution. The whole system of policing
a nation, region, etc.

2) The **tangible** "police station" or "police department". Also called
「警察署{けいさつしょ}」

3) The informal form of 「警察官{けいさつかん}」 or 「警官{けいかん}」 = "a cop".

「警官{けいかん}」 only has one meaning.

1) "a policeman", "a cop". Synonymous to 「警察官{けいさつかん}」

Extra:

For the native speakers, the first word we learn to use for referring to a cop
is definitely 「 **おまわりさん** 」. You are **_not_** going to hear a toddler say:

「さっき警察官に『こんにちは』って言われた。」 or

「あそこに警官がふたり立ってる。」

The kind of toddler who would say those would be considered かわいくない.

