Americanisms

I am at present reading a novel written by an English author set in England but the police are referred to as 'cops'.

I wonder whether this is to appeal to the US book market.

I hate it when authors do that. 

Alexa said:

I hate it when authors do that.

I find it jars and suspends the 'suspension of disbelief'.

I think 'ah, so we have suddenly been transported to the US, have we?'

TheCatWoman said:

plain clothes officers, CID, aren't usually addressed as just detective, but as detective sargeant, for example.

This does not reflect my experience in how they are referred to in a day-to-day sense. Using their full titles is seen as either formal or pretentious so they just use the term "detective".

I was working alongside them so I may have a more informal experience than those they want to intimidate a bit.

I know that CID are detectives and a rank might be Detective Constable, right the way up DCI, but, plain clothes officers, CID, aren't usually addressed as just detective, but as detective sargeant, for example.

Some forces like the Met seem to have ranking structures unlike other police forces.

TheCatWoman said:

police being referred to as 'detective' and I do find it jarring,

The UK police have this category of officer (detective) too - I have worked with detectives on some business criminal investigations in the UK.

This article explains the different ranks: en.wikipedia.org/.../Police_ranks_of_the_United_Kingdom

TheCatWoman said:

police being referred to as 'detective' and I do find it jarring,

The UK police have this category of officer (detective) too - I have worked with detectives on some business criminal investigations in the UK.

This article explains the different ranks: en.wikipedia.org/.../Police_ranks_of_the_United_Kingdom

TheCatWoman said:

plain clothes officers, CID, aren't usually addressed as just detective, but as detective sargeant, for example.

This does not reflect my experience in how they are referred to in a day-to-day sense. Using their full titles is seen as either formal or pretentious so they just use the term "detective".

I was working alongside them so I may have a more informal experience than those they want to intimidate a bit.

I know that CID are detectives and a rank might be Detective Constable, right the way up DCI, but, plain clothes officers, CID, aren't usually addressed as just detective, but as detective sargeant, for example.

Some forces like the Met seem to have ranking structures unlike other police forces.