@Setanta,
Quote: in British English, a singular noun such as company is often treated as a plural noun.
It can be.
"The Police" and "The Army" can be seen as singular or plural.
examples
The police believe crime is declining. (pl)
The police is a good career for a youngster. (s)
An army marches on its stomach. An army of ants invaded the picnic. (s)
The army are in open revolt. (pl)
All quite correct and grammatically acceptable, I think.