Language Point 1
The Biggest Threat to the Role of Police Officers (Title)
threat to sb. / sth.: 对……的威胁
Flu is a serious threat to the elderly and to young children. 流感对老人和孩子都是一种严重的威胁。
He is not afraid because you represent no threat to him. 他不害怕，因为你对他不构成威胁。
Language Point 2
These are the people who regularly have to tackle the increasing number of criminals who are prepared to carry guns. (Para. 1)
Meaning: Those people often have to deal with more and more armed criminals.
Language Point 3
… on the practice range, … (Para. 2)
the practice range: an area where people can practice shooting
The soldiers were there on the practice range. 战士们在那里的射击场上。
We can also say a rifle range (步枪靶场) or a shooting range (射击场).
It reminded me of my days on the rifle range preparing for duty in Vietnam. 这使我想起了在越南的步枪靶场上为执行任务做准备的那些日子。
Language Point 4
…none of it seems that difficult, … (Para. 2)
The word “that” is here used to modify “difficult” meaning “very difficult”. “That” used in this way means “as much as suggested”.
It wasn't that (= very) good. 它并不那么好。
It hasn't been that cold recently. 最近天气不太冷。
But as history shows, the past was not that wonderful. 但是，正如历史所展示的那样，过去并不是那么的令人惊叹。
Language Point 5
…we put most of the bullets somewhere on the target. (Para. 2)
Meaning: …mostly we can hit the target.
Language Point 6
But then we move on to the next stage of the training, where some of the problems which actually crop up on the street are imitated. (Para. 2)
Meaning: But then we start with the next stage of the training, and a particular condition was created in such a way that the problems happening on the street seemed to really appear at that time.
Language Point 7
…some of the problems which actually crop up… (Para. 2)
crop up: appear or happen, esp. when it is not expected
His name just cropped up in conversation. 他的名字刚在谈话中被提到。
I'll be late — something's cropped up at the office. 我会迟些到，因为办公室里发生了一些意外。
Problems will crop up and hit you before you are ready. 在你还没有准备好时，各种问题就会突然出现。
Her name has cropped up several times in reports about who should take Mr. Ryder's place. 在有关谁来接替赖德的报告中，她的名字出现了好几次。
Language Point 8
…videos are played where actors act out various types of situations. (Para. 2)
act out: copy the actions which took place and make them into a play; perform a ceremony or show how sth. happened, as if performing a play
The children started to act out the whole incident. 孩子们开始把整个事件表演出来。
The group acts out the stories in such a way that the members experience really being there. 这个组把故事表演得非常逼真，就好像他们亲身经历过。
They acted out the robbery in full so that when it came to describing it to everyone, to police, and to insurance investigators, they would be able to describe it in perfect detail. 他们从头到尾把这起抢劫案演示了一遍，这样当要向每一个人、向警察、向保险公司调查人员描述时，他们就能够描述得详详细细。
Language Point 9
We have to decide whether to shoot and when, just like the police officer has to when faced with this situation for real. (Para. 3)
Meaning: We were in the same situation as the police officer is often in, in which we have to decide whether we should shoot and when we should shoot.
Language Point 10
The journalists' results here were not so impressive. (Para. 3)
Meaning: Most of the decisions made by the journalists about whether and when to shoot were not correct.
Language Point 11
I am afraid we killed many an innocent person carrying nothing more lethal than a stick. (Para. 3)
Meaning: I am afraid we killed many innocent people who only carried such things as a stick, which is not very likely to cause death.
Language Point 12
I am afraid we killed many an innocent person carrying nothing more lethal than a stick. (Para. 3)
nothing more (…) than: If you say something or someone is nothing more than a particular thing, you are emphasizing that they are only that thing, and nothing more interesting (important, etc.).
The newly discovered notes are nothing more than Wang's personal journal. 新发现的笔记只不过是王某的个人日记。
He dismissed Bryan as nothing more than an amateur. 他遣走了布莱恩，认为他仅仅是一个业余爱好者。
There are those who remain unconvinced, arguing that the process is nothing more than a shallow, expensive public relations exercise. 有些人仍然不相信，他们认为这一过程只不过是一种肤浅而昂贵的公关练习。
In her early days as a singer she had encountered those who had wrongly assumed she was nothing more than a beautiful but empty-headed blonde. 在她作为歌手生涯的早期，她曾遇到一些人，他们错误地认为她只不过是一个漂亮但是没头脑的金发女郎。
Language Point 13
The current policy is to have a small number of specialists available in each of the 43 police departments in Britain. (Para. 4)
Meaning: Now their solution to the problem mentioned above is to put a small number of special armed police in each of the 43 police departments in Britain.
Language Point 14
They are kept up to scratch with intensive and regular training. (Para.4)
Meaning: They were kept qualified for coping with the situations through intensive and regular training.
Language Point 15
They are kept up to scratch… (Para. 4)
up to scratch: as good as sth. or sb. should be; satisfactory
His work simply isn't up to scratch. 他的工作就是达不到要求。
It'll take months to bring the band up to scratch. 要让这个乐队达到要求还需要几个月。
My mother always made me feel I wasn't coming up to
scratch. 我妈妈总是让我觉得我达不到要求。
If they don't come up to scratch, we can complain to their professional body and seek redress. 如果他们达不到要求，我们可向他们的专业机构投诉并索赔。
Language Point 16
But the wisdom of that policy has been questioned as the amount of violence encountered by the police has grown. (Para. 5)
Meaning: Since the police meet with violence more often than before, some people doubt whether that policy is sensible.
Language Point 17
…wisdom of that policy… (Para. 5)
wisdom (of ): the degree of being sensible
I question the wisdom of giving a child so much money. 我怀疑给孩子这么多钱是否明智。
Many people have expressed doubts about the wisdom of the decision. 许多人对这个决定是否明智表示了怀疑。
Language Point 18
…as the amount of violence encountered by the police has grown. (Para. 5)
encounter: v. experience (esp. sth. unpleasant) or meet (sb.) unexpectedly
Before they had gone very far, they encountered a woman selling flowers. 他们没走多远就遇到了一个卖花的妇女。
The army is reported to be encountering considerable resistance in some remote rural areas. 据报告，军队在一些偏远地带遭到相当顽强的抵抗。
But two major problems were encountered: the cable's weight and the fact that it fell short of its intended destination. 但遇到了两个问题：电缆的重量和电缆不够长，不能达到其原来计划的终点。
The document had been sent to all federal agencies and departments, and encountered immediate opposition from many department heads. 这份文件已送给了所有的联邦机构和部门，立即遭到了许多部门长官的反对。
Language Point 19
It is usually the ordinary street officer who is on the wrong end of this, rather than the armed experts who arrive rather later. (Para. 5)
Meaning: Usually it is the ordinary street officer but not the armed experts who are in trouble because of the effect of the policy.
Language Point 20
…who is on the wrong end of this, … (Para. 5)
be on the wrong end of: suffer the bad effects of (sth.)
Companies that violate this law can find themselves on the wrong end of big lawsuits. 违反这项法律的公司会发现自己必须承担面临大型法律诉讼的不利后果。
After last week's extraordinary events, they are once again on the wrong end of a publicity campaign. 在上周发生的一系列不寻常事件之后，他们必须再次承担宣传活动失败的不利结果。
This is a year for change, that's clear. And we're on the wrong end of change this year. 这是要求变革的一年，这一点是显而易见的。可我们今年正面临着于我们不利的变革。
Language Point 21
To see the direction in which the British police are heading, … (Para. 6)
Meaning: To see in what way the British police are advancing / progressing, …
Language Point 22
…consider the experience of the Northumbria police who have responsibility for law and order in… (Para. 6)
law and order: a situation in which people obey the law and behave in a peaceful way
The government struggled to maintain law and order. 政府在努力维持法律和秩序。
After the riots, the military was brought in to restore law and order. 暴乱过后，军队被调来重建法律和秩序。
She warned that the president would be responsible for any breakdown of law and order. 她警告说总统将要对社会秩序的混乱负责。
They express the beliefs of law and order, and justice and freedom are necessary for both citizen and state in any society aspiring to some model of equality. 他们表达了对法律和秩序的信心；在任何追求某种平等模式的社会中，司法和自由对公民和国家都是必不可少的。
Language Point 23
The 3,600 police officers in the force deal with all the typical problems thrown up by the Britain of the 1990s. (Para. 6)
Meaning: During the 1990's, there are 3,600 police officers who deal with all the typical troubles in Britain.
Language Point 24
… police officers in the force … (Para. 6)
the force: the police force
It is sometimes hard for a police officer to make friends outside the force. 有时警察在警界之外交朋友是很困难的。
He joined the force straight after school. 他一毕业就当上了警察。
Sometimes “the force” is used to refer to a group of people organized and trained, especially for military or a stated purpose.
the Air Force空军部队
the security forces保安部队
the work force劳动力
Language Point 25
…all the typical problems thrown up by the Britain of the 1990s. (Para. 6)
throw up: produce sb. or sth., or cause them to become noticeable; make or build very quickly
These studies have already thrown up some interesting results. 这些研究已经产生了一些有趣的结果。
They're throwing up new housing estates all over the place. 他们在这个地方建了很多住宅区。
Youths threw up barricades on the streets. 年轻人在街上设了路障。
The political struggle threw up a strong leader. 政治斗争产生了一位强有力的领导。
Language Point 26
Before being allowed to leave the police for medical reasons, they lost between them 12,000 days on sick leave: the equivalent of 50 police officers off the street for a full year. (Para. 7)
Meaning: Before they retired early for medical reasons, totally they have been on sick leave for 12,000 days, which is equal to 50 police officers' working time for a full year.
Language Point 27
…they lost between them 12,000 days on sick leave… (Para. 7)
leave: n. time permitted away from work for holiday or illness
She's on sick leave. 她在休病假。
He was granted a month's leave. 他获准休假一个月。
How much paid leave do you get? 你有多少带薪假期？
I suffered from liver trouble in Italy that winter and I was still at home on sick leave when the whole thing finished. 那年冬天我在意大利得了肝病，整个事情结束时我仍然在家休病假。
Language Point 28
… the equivalent of 50 police officers off the street for a full year. (Para. 7)
equivalent: n. (of, to) a thing, amount, word, etc. that is equivalent to sth. else
Is there a French word that is the exact equivalent of the English word “home”? 法语里有没有一个词和英语里的“home”完全等同？
Breathing such polluted air is the equivalent of smoking ten cigarettes a day. 呼吸这些被污染的空气就相当于一天抽10支烟。
a. (to) equal in value, amount, meaning, importance, etc.
Eight kilometres is roughly equivalent to five miles. 8公里大约等于5英里。
The new regulation was seen as equivalent to censorship. 那条新规则被看成是审查制度。
He changed his pounds for the equivalent amount of dollars. 他把持有的英镑换成了等值的美元。
Language Point 29
The personal cost of policing has never been so high. (Para. 8)
Meaning: The cost of arranging police to keep order of the society is higher than ever before.
Language Point 30
One third of the officers leaving were disabled in the very worst degree… (Para. 8)
disable: vt. make sb. unable to use his/ her body properly
Disabled from birth, she spent her life in a wheelchair. 她天生残废，一生在轮椅上度过。
Traffic accidents disable thousands of children a year. 每年成千上万的儿童因交通事故致残。
Language Point 31
This picture of a policeman's lot could be repeated in many other parts of Britain, … (Para. 9)
Meaning: The similar things that a policeman experienced could be found in many other parts of Britain.
Language Point 32
This picture of a policeman's lot could be repeated in many other parts of Britain, … (Para. 9)
lot: n. the quality of life and the experience one has
The society is trying to improve the lot of the lowest-paid workers. 社会正试图提高低收入者的生活水准。
I'm happy with my lot. 我对自己的命运很满意。
I would not want to share his lot. 我不想有他那样的经历。
Language Point 33
But they, of course, would not have to carry them and maybe even use them. (Para. 10)
Meaning: But it may not be necessary for policemen to carry guns and they may even not have to use the guns.
Language Point 34
The likely next step is agreement from the Government to test pepper spray, … (Para. 12)
Meaning: It's likely that the next step to take is to ask for the Government's permission for testing pepper spray, …
Language Point 35
…an organic substance derived from peppers which disables an attacker if sprayed in his face. (Para. 12)
derive from:
1） come from
Pollutants like this derive mainly from /are mainly derived from the combustion of fuel in car engines. 像这种污染物主要源于汽车发动机燃料的燃烧。
Most of his ideas derive from those of his parents. 他的大多数观点源自他父母的见解。
The benefits to be derived from the old technique are not in doubt, but it will take too much time. 从旧的技术中得到好处是不容怀疑的，但是却要花很长时间。
His popularity derives from his easiness. 他受人欢迎是由于他为人随和。
2） get or obtain from
He derives great joy from playing football. 他从踢足球中得到极大的快乐。
The institute derives all its money from foreign investments. 该协会所有的资金是从国外投资中获得的。
Language Point 36
If used properly, the discomfort, although extreme, is only temporary. (Para. 12)
Meaning: If the spray is used in a proper way, the discomfort, although it can be very great, will not last for very long.
Language Point 37
Provided the spray is washed away with water, recovery should be complete within a couple of hours. (Para. 12)
Meaning: If the spray is cleaned /removed with water, being completely well again is achieved within two or three hours.
Language Point 38
Provided the spray is washed away with water, … (Para. 12)
provided /providing (that): conj. if, or only if
Provided (that) there are no objections, we will begin with item three on the agenda. 假如没有人反对的话，我们就开始程序上的第三项。
He says he'll go parachuting provided (that) you do too. 他说要是你也去跳伞的话，他就去。
Mother will believe me providing I tell her what she wants to hear. 要是我告诉母亲的是她想听的，她会相信我的。
I believe in freedom to do what I wish, providing that it does no harm to my neighbour. 我相信我有自由去干我想干的事情，只要这种自由对邻居无害。
Language Point 39
Provided the spray is washed away with water, … (Para. 12)
wash away: remove or carry away by a flow of water or by rain
The blood on the pavement had been washed away by the rain overnight. 人行道上的血迹被一晚的雨水冲刷干净。
A storm had washed away some of the earth and revealed the rocks beneath. 一场暴风雨冲走了部分泥土，露出了下面的岩石。
Floods have washed away several villages in the area. 在这个地区洪水冲走了好几个村庄。
Language Point 40
Unpleasant, certainly, but better than being shot. (Para. 12)
Meaning: It's of course unpleasant to be attacked by pepper spray, but it's better than being shot.
Language Point 41
They would just like to see them at all. (Para. 13)
Meaning: They would extremely like to see the police with guns.
Language Point 42
I have lost count of the times we have been filming police officers on the street when local residents have come up to us and told us... (Para. 13)
Meaning: I don't remember how many times local residents came to tell us… when we were making movies of police stories on the street.
Language Point 43
I have lost count of the times… (Para. 13)
lose count of (sth.): forget the total of sth. before you have finished counting it
He has lost count of the number of operations he has had, probably around a dozen, but thankfully his spine was virtually undamaged. 他已经记不清自己动了多少次手术了，也许十来次吧。而值得庆幸的是他的脊椎基本上没有损伤。
She had lost count of the number of times she'd told him to be careful. 她不记得她告诉过他多少次要小心了。
She'd lost count of the interviews she had been called for. 她不记得自己有多少次被叫去面谈。
Living out here is inclined to make me lose count of time. 生活在这里往往使我记不清时间了。
Language Point 44
…when local residents have come up to us and told us... (Para. 13)
come up to: move towards sb., in order to talk to them
He came up to me and asked for a light. 他走向我，跟我借了个火。
Her cat came up to me and rubbed itself against my legs. 她的猫朝我走来，用身体在我腿上蹭。
Language Point 45
Actually the biggest threat to the traditional image and role of police officers does not come from guns and armed crime but the increase in the tasks we expect the police to carry out. (Para. 14)
Meaning: The traditional image and role of police officers change mainly because they are required to take over more tasks, but not because of the guns and armed crime.
Language Point 46
…but the increase in the tasks we expect the police to carry out. (Para. 14)
carry out: do or complete sth., esp. sth. important; fulfill
A survey of ten schools in the area will be carried out next year. 明年将对这个地区的10所学校进行一次调查。
Our soldiers carried out a successful attack last night. 我们的战士昨晚成功地进行了攻击。
Don't blame me, I'm only carrying out my orders. 别怪我，我只是执行命令。
Language Point 47
New laws and police priorities are taking up so much time that many forces simply cannot afford to let their officers walk up and down the streets. (Para. 14)
Meaning: Too many policemen are engaged in new laws and the things that must be dealt with as soon as possible that too few policemen can be sent to patrol the streets.
Language Point 48
New laws and police priorities are taking up so much time…(Para. 14)
take up: use a particular amount of time, space, or effort
I'll be quick, I don't want to take up too much of your time. 我会很快的，我不想占你许多时间。
His day was completely taken up with meetings. 他整整一天都被会议占满了。
This desk takes up too much room. 这张桌子占的地方太多了。
Language Point 49
In some prosperous areas, local people pay private security firms. (Para. 14)
Meaning: In some rich and successful areas, people there pay money to ask private security firms to protect themselves, their houses, and their wealth.
Language Point 50
In some prosperous areas, local people pay private security firms. (Para. 14)
prosperous: a. rich and successful
It's hard to believe that in this prosperous country, hunger could be a serious problem. 很难相信，在这个富裕的国家饥饿会成为一个严重的问题。
The place looks more prosperous than ever. 这个地方看起来比以前更繁荣了。
He was the youngest son of a relatively prosperous British family. 他是英国一个相对富有人家的小儿子。
Language Point 51
In future, if you want to know what time it is there might not be much point asking a policeman. (Para. 15)
Meaning: In future, police will not be available when you want to know what time it is.
Language Point 52
…there might not be much point asking a policeman. (Para. 15)
there is no point (in) doing sth.: a particular action has no purpose or would not be useful
There's no point in getting angry. 生气是没有用的。
There is no point arguing with him. He will not listen to you. 跟他争辩是没有用的，他是不会听你的。
Money's available to George, but there's no point in his rushing out and spending it just for the hell of it. 乔治是有钱，但是他也用不着仅仅为了花钱而匆忙把钱挥霍掉。
There's no point in telling him that, because he'll just refuse to pay them. 告诉他是没有用的，因为他就是拒绝付钱给他们。
Language Point 53
He either will not be there to ask or will not have the time to answer. (Para. 15)
Meaning: You may not be able to find him on the streets or he will not have time to answer you.
