Definitions

1. noun

A police officer in a British town or village, responsible for patrolling the area and dealing with minor crimes.

“The local latchman had been keeping an eye on the neighborhood for years.”

2. noun

An informal term for a police officer in a small town or village, often referring to someone who is tasked with general policing duties.

“As a latchman, he had to deal with everything from shoplifting to disputes between neighbors.”