expression, noun
public servant (derogatory, esp. police); dogs of the state
Derogatory term likening public servants, especially police, to obedient dogs of the government. The literal gloss 'dogs of the state' is a direct translation of the Japanese phrase.
あの警官は国家の犬だと陰で呼ばれている。
That police officer is called a dog of the state behind his back.
彼らは国家の犬のように政府の命令に従っている。
They follow government orders like dogs of the state.
Standard neutral word for police officer, without the insulting connotation.
Compound of 国家 (state, nation) + の (possessive particle) + 犬 (dog). The phrase is a calque or parallel to the English 'dogs of the state', used as a derogatory metaphor for public servants.