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Why did the Police break up?

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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Police broke up at the peak of their fame in 1984 because of tensions within the group. In addition, Sting, the band’s lead singer and bassist, had wanted to pursue a solo career. The band reunited briefly in 1986 and released a compilation album of their hits, Every Breath You Take: The Singles. It included a rerecording of their 1980 song “Don’t Stand So Close to Me.” Plans to rerecord more of their songs were canceled after drummer Stewart Copeland broke his collarbone in a horseback riding accident. After the album’s release the band broke up for good. In 2007 the Police reunited at the Grammy Awards ceremony and followed up with a successful world tour in 2007–08.