Copper overseas men grade differently (8)

I believe the answer is:

gendarme

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'copper overseas' is the definition.
'gendarme' can be an answer for 'copper' (French police officer). I'm unsure of the 'overseas' bit.

'men grade differently' is the wordplay.
'differently' is an anagram indicator.
'men'+'grade'='mengrade'
'mengrade' is an anagram of 'GENDARME'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gendarme that I've seen before include "...French fuzz!" , "French copper" , "French police officer" , "An arresting Frenchman?" , "Law enforcer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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