Crossword Genius

Sharp as a police department (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

acid

'sharp' is the definition.
(as in sharp-tasting)

'a police department' is the wordplay.
'police department' becomes 'CID' (abbreviation for Criminal Investigation Department).
'a'+'cid'='ACID'

'as' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for acid that I've seen before include "Chemical compound" , "Bitter or sour" , "- - -drop, sweet" , "Cutting" , "Sour, sharp-tasting" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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