posse, posse comitatus(noun)

a temporary police force

posse comitatus(Noun)

The able-bodied men over 15 in a given county who can be summoned by the sheriff to help keep the peace, or arrest a felon; also a group of men so gathered.

posse comitatus(Noun)

Any band of men, especially armed or hostile.

Posse comitatus(u)

the power of the county, or the citizens who may be summoned by the sheriff to assist the authorities in suppressing a riot, or executing any legal precept which is forcibly opposed

Posse comitatus(u)

a collection of people; a throng; a rabble

Posse Comitatus

a Latin expression, signifies the whole coercive power of a county called out in the case of a riot, and embraces all males over 15 except peers, ecclesiastics, and infirm persons. These may be summoned by the sheriff to assist in maintaining the public peace, enforcing a writ, or capturing a felon; but usually the constabulary is sufficient for these duties.