Cryptic crossword clue
Out-of-uniform cops in lethal exchange 12

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 12 letter word PLAINCLOTHES

I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
P
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The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does PLAINCLOTHES mean?

PLAINCLOTHES noun
  1. Ordinary civilian clothes, rather than uniform.
PLAINCLOTHES adjective
  1. (usually of a police officer) Wearing ordinary civilian clothes instead of a uniform, in order to avoid detection.

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