(けいぶ)

けいぶ
noun
police inspector
occupationlaw
1. police inspector
police inspector
Inspector Tanaka was in charge of the investigation.
He was just promoted to inspector.
The inspector who arrived at the crime scene immediately gave instructions to his subordinates.

A mid-ranking police officer title in the Japanese police hierarchy, roughly equivalent to 'inspector' in English. Very commonly encountered in crime fiction and detective dramas. Used as a title after a person's name (e.g., 田中(たなか)警部(けいぶ)).

JAPANESE POLICE RANKS (ascending):

Common collocations

  • 警部(けいぶ)(): assistant inspector (one rank below)
  • 主任(しゅにん)警部(けいぶ): senior inspector
  • 警部(けいぶ): Inspector ~ (as title)

Cultural note

Famous fictional inspectors include 古畑(ふるはた)任三郎(にんざぶろう) and 杉下(すぎした)右京(うきょう) from popular detective dramas.