Hip Hop Slang Terms for Police (And Where They Came From)

Hip Hop Slang Words For The Police

From "12" to "The Beast" — these aren't just random nicknames. They're coded language, cultural commentary, and survival tactics wrapped in slang.

Hip Hop has always been more than music — it's a culture, a resistance, and a way of speaking truth to power. Language plays a huge role in that, and the way Hip Hoppers refer to the police tells a story that spans generations, borders, and belief systems.

Quick disclaimer:

We’re not saying Hip Hop invented all these terms. But Hip Hop did remix, flip, and repurpose them in a way that only the culture can. From the Bible to broken English, from TV shows to street corners — this language reflects the raw creativity and awareness of the people who live it.

Hip Hop Slang Words for the Police

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most well-known (and lesser-known) names for law enforcement used in Hip Hop and Black communities across time:

12 (The 12, Twelves)

Code for police. Origin debated, but widely used in Southern Hip Hop.

Babylon

Jamaican patois term from the Bible, meaning oppressive systems or corrupt governments.

Barney

Inspired by bumbling Deputy Barney Fife from The Andy Griffith Show.

Boys in Blue

Refers to the classic police uniform color.

Coppers

Old-school term, comes from the copper badges police used to wear.

Danno

“Book 'em, Danno!” — A line from Hawaii Five-O.

Dees (The D’s)

Short for Detectives.

Dick

As in “private dick” — 1940s slang for detective.

Dogs

Used to describe K-9 units or aggressive officers.

Donut Patrol

Plays on the stereotype of cops always posted up with coffee and donuts.

Federales

"Spanish" term for federal police forces.

Feds

Short for federal agents or FBI.

Five-O

Iconic reference from Hawaii Five-O — now a universal police nickname.

Flatfoot

Old-school slang for beat cops walking the streets.

Gumshoe

Another throwback detective term.

Hot Boys

Used for aggressive or heavily armed police units.

Jump Out Boys

Refers to unmarked vans where cops jump out unexpectedly during a raid.

Mountie

Canadian Royal Mounted Police — known for their horses.

Narcs

Short for narcotics officers — usually undercover.

Officer Friendly

From 80s-era school PR programs. Often used sarcastically.

One Time

You only need to get caught once. Origin may trace to L.A. street slang.

Overseer

From slave patrols — the earliest form of policing in America.

Pigs

Still one of the most common and provocative terms for police.

Po-Lice / Po Po

Phonetic slang for “police” — widely used in rap music.

Pork

Another food-based diss, rooted in anti-authority sentiment.

Rent-a-Cop

Mocking term for security guards or wannabe police.

Statie

Slang for State Trooper.

The Beast

Biblical imagery — from Revelation — meaning oppressive power.

The Brass

Refers to high-ranking officers or the top command.

The Heat

Used to describe armed police or unwanted attention.

The Fuzz

Classic 70s/80s term — origin debated.

The Jake(s)

Old-school slang, especially common in NYC.

The Law / The Laws

Simple, blunt — they are “the law,” for better or worse.

The Man

“Fight the power.” “Stick it to the man.” He represents the system.

Them Boys

General street slang — as in “watch out, them boys rollin’ up.”

Vics

Short for Crown Victoria — the iconic police cruiser.

Knowing the Code

In Hip Hop, slang is survival. It's a form of coded language — a way to communicate, mock, warn, and resist. Each term carries weight, history, and meaning. This isn’t just vocabulary; it’s a living archive of how people relate to power, injustice, and each other.

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