Crossword Genius

Farther from base, the coppers are in pure chaos! (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

upper

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'farther from base' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'coppers are in pure chaos' is the wordplay.
'coppers' becomes 'p'.
'are in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'chaos' indicates an anagram.
'pure' is an anagram of 'uper'.
'p' put within 'uper' is 'UPPER'.

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for upper that I've seen before include "Stimulant drug (informal)" , "person marking swans on Thames?" , "Higher; more northerly" , "Higher; part of shoe" , "Illegal stimulant possibly" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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