Different Types of Law Enforcement Agencies

Law enforcement agencies are identified by jurisdiction. There are local law enforcement agencies such as the city police departments and transit police. State law enforcement agencies include the water police, harbor patrol or marine police. Federal law enforcement agencies include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Secret Service.

There are far more federal law enforcement agencies than local and state. The Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Air Marshall are examples of federal law enforcement agencies.

Local Law Enforcement Agencies

City police such as the Los Angeles Police Department or the New York Police Department are examples of local law enforcement agencies. Police officers along with higher-ranked officers such as detectives, lieutenants and captains enforce the law inside the city limits.

Local law enforcement agencies have no jurisdiction outside the city where they are employed. The Los Angeles Police Department has no jurisdiction or power outside the city of Los Angeles.

State Law Enforcement Agencies

The highway patrol or state troopers have jurisdiction in the entire state and are generally responsible for enforcing the law on interstate highways. The state law enforcement agencies are also responsible for protecting the state governor.

Water police, marine and harbor patrol officers have jurisdiction on waterways such as lakes and rivers. State law enforcement officers investigate crimes and take part in search, rescue and recovery operations.

The Border Patrol

The Border Patrol is under the direct supervision of the Department of Homeland Security, a federal law enforcement agency. The Border Patrol is responsible for the enforcement of immigration laws and provides surveillance of the U.S. border states.

The Border Patrol, patrols the U.S. border, conducts searches of vehicles for contraband such as illegal drugs and aliens trying to enter the United States illegally. Border Patrol agents man checkpoints where state-of-the-art surveillance equipment is used to monitor the U.S. borders.

Transportation Security Administration

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, employees and agents provide screening services at U.S. airports and train stations. TSA officers search luggage, looking for weapons and other illegal contraband.

TSA officers also work as undercover agents that test the X-ray systems. TSA officers also perform pat-downs on passengers and hand wand screenings.

The Secret Service

Another example of a federal law enforcement agency is the Secret Service. Secret Service agents are in charge of protecting U.S. federal elected officials. Protecting the president, vice president and candidates for the presidency and vice presidency.

The Secret Service conducts criminal investigations such as crimes involving banking or financial institutions and computer crimes. The Secret Service is responsible for the protection of foreign diplomats visiting the United States.

References

• Border Patrol
• Secret Service
• FBI

Resources

• Law Enforcement