This paper focuses on the spoken language of police communication or “policespeak”. It examines a number of the readily recognisable clichés and formulaic expressions that are widely regarded as characteristic of policespeak. It also looks at some facets of police work which promote specific behaviours which are less overtly characteristic of policespeak but are nonetheless strongly motivated by the demands of their contexts of use. The final portion of the paper shows how policespeak is used as means of accommodation by interactants who are not police officers. In addressing policespeak from these various angles, the paper attempts where possible and practical to address the contextual factors motivating the observed behaviours.