Crossword Genius

A stripper in police history (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

peeler

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This might be a double definition.

'a stripper' is the first definition.
('peeler' can be a synonym of 'stripper')

'police history' is the second definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for peeler that I've seen before include "Very old English cop, or spud scraper" , "kitchen utensil" , "Old copper" , "Devious type" , "Kitchen knife" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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