Crossword Genius

That terrible police inspector again! (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dire

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'that terrible' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'inspector again' is the wordplay.
'inspector' becomes 'di' (I've seen this in other clues).
'again' becomes 're'.
'di'+'re'='DIRE'

'police' is the link.
This may not be correct. It may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dire that I've seen before include "Ride in dreadful state" , "Terrible display" , "Dreadful; grim" , "Appalling or extreme" , "'Dreadful, awful (4)'" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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