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Civilian

By , About.com Guide

Definition: Many law enforcement officers refer to non-sworn personnel as civilians. Correctly used, however, the term civilian refers to non-military members of the population. This is why civilian police forces are distinct from military police. Thus, technically speaking, all non-military occupations are considered civilian, whether uniformed or not. This includes people who provide support and even some law enforcement functions for the military who are not members of the Armed Forces.

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