In which case, it's not the Police then, Howard..!
The word 'speed trap' harks back to the days when motor cars were still new. I hardly think a fluorescent yellow box on a pole is a 'trap' nor indeed is a white van with livery on..
Just to come back to the Enid Blyton character for a moment, the term refers to that person and that person only. To use the term in a generic way, usually with some sort of emphasis is lampooning anyone that is in the Police and, as many have said, disrespectful.
Why don't you simply say 'the Police'..? You don't have to describe them in any other way unless (a) you have an axe to grind, or (b) you have a baseball cap on backwards and wear a hoodie..!
There is a basis for an interesting discussion of semantics here, but having no better access than a small phone and stubby fingers, I can't do it justice.
I have a nick name habit. As a child my parents weren't mum an dad - they were fatty and fanny. And I loved them to bits. All the teachers at school were known by their nicknames as we're all my pals and indeed myself. Currently all the cars have nicknames as does the boat and I can't think of when I.last addressed my wife by her Christian name. I guess there's a pattern and from what I see on here it isn't unique.
Respect doesn't come with a job title. It has to be earned. Or so it seems to me. And IMO there are no greater sins than taking yourself or life too seriously. So I shall continue to use nick names for anything and everything including all varieties of officialdom from Brands downwards.
What's your name by the way?
