Define the roles and responsibilities of federal law enforcement agencies, state police agencies, and local (county and municipal) law enforcement agencies. Federal law enforcement agencies are under the administrative control of the executive branch of the federal government. Most federal agencies have jurisdiction in all 50 states; their legal jurisdiction is determined by legislation and executive orders. There are three different types of federal agencies: military police, Native American tribal police, and civilian police. State police agencies have jurisdiction limited by state boundaries. State law enforcement agencies are divided into three types: traffic enforcement, general criminal investigations, and special investigations. The sheriff has jurisdiction over an entire county. The sheriff’s department can have three major responsibilities: performing law enforcement duties, serving as officers of the court, and operating the county jail. The geographic jurisdiction of local law enforcement agencies is limited to the city limits. The most commonly demanded services of local law enforcement include: enforcing traffic laws, investigating accidents, and patrolling.
1. Choose a federal law enforcement agency and describe its specific roles and duties.
2. Define the jurisdiction of a tribal police department.
3. Explain what is meant by the term “narcoterrorism?”
4. Which local level law enforcement agency is considered the oldest in the United States?
5. What public safety services are the responsibilities of the state police?
6. Who is the highest administrative officer in a municipal police department?