Crossword Genius

Follow laws enforced with police backing (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

swale

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'police backing' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'follow laws enforced' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
an anagram of 'laws' is 'swal' which is within the answer.
A single letter 'e' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'with' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for swale that I've seen is " Shade".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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