In rebutting the police make big strides (4)
I believe the answer is:
lope
'make big strides' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lope that I've seen before include "run gently" , "Run with long strides using pole" , "Run along easily" , "Stride along" , "Run with a long stride" .)