The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

ircop

    /*r'-kop/ ("IRC" + "op", but with the,
   presumably intentional, alternate analysis "IRC" + "cop")
   Someone who is endowed with privileges on IRC, not limited
   to a particular channel.  These privileges include channel
   op privileges in any channel, but also notably include the
   ability to disconnect a user from the IRC network.

   Ircops are generally people who are in charge of the IRC
   server at their particular site.  Compare op.

   (1997-12-12)