Rozzers

[R1Geezer]

what is the origin of "Rozzers" when referring to the police?

[Lie-in King]

Cassell Dictionary of Slang has - "(late 19C) ? Romany 'roozlo' (strong) or 'roast' (a villain)."

The same book has "Roast - (late 17C-early 18C) to arrest."

Extract from Wikipedia -

Rozzers: A British term. To Rozz was slang for to roast in the East End of London

I'm sure that others will be of more help!

[Quizmonster]

There may possibly be a connection as outlined above by Lie-in-KIng, but I have to say that the scholars at The Oxford English Dictionary - the 'bible' of English etymology - say that the origin of rozzer is unknown.
I'm certain they would have been familiar with the ideas in Cassell, but they obviously did not find the link convincing. Accordingly, neither do I, but you are, of course, perfectly free to take your pick, R1G.

[Seafarer1966]

Perhaps an abbreviation of Robert Peels name? He introduced the first police force. Cops were also called Peelers