Crossword Genius

What may poison police, struggling without leadership (1,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

e coli

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'leadership' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for e coli that I've seen before include "An infection found in food and water" , "cause of ill-feeling" , "cause of serious complaint" , "Cause of internal problem" , "Common species of bacterium" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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