Policing Functions

Policing Functions in USA Name: Institution: Course Title: Course Code: Instructor’s Name: Date Due:  Introduction The United States Federal Government empowers a variety of security operators in maintaining public order and law within the nation. There are many types of law enforcement agencies from local, state to federal government. More than 17,000 state and local law agencies exist today in USA. Many of these are regulated by the local governments in the states in which they operate (discover policing.org 2012). The police department in the federal state is empowered to perform their duties under various sections in the United States Codes (U.S.C). At the federal level, there are officers designated in enforcing various laws and matters arising within this jurisdiction. There are also other agencies that are empowered in enforcing laws at this level. In most instances, the agencies may be required to enforce these laws in a nationwide perspective but within a given geographical scope. For example, majority of the federal police officers who are uniformed, and who are basically called security police are only required to enforce laws and orders in the properties of the agencies that they work for (Langeluttig, 1997). Basing our statistics on the 2008 census of state and law enforcement agencies, there are about 18, 000 federal law enforcement agencies across United States. The local police constitute around two thirds of this. Apart from the police departments, there are also other agencies which are responsible in enforcing laws in USA, these include: department of sheriffs, investigative departments which are also called bureaus such as FBI, HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Immigration_and_Customs_Enforcement" \o "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement"ICE, USMS, CPB, ATF, DEA, USSS and so on. This paper examines the various functions of the US police from local, state to federal government. Functions of Police in USA The local police are mandated to enforcing the laws of jurisdiction; investigate crimes committed in the locality and provide patrol to keep security in check. These security forces, which obtain their powers from local government authorities, operate in areas such as counties, municipals and regional. On the other hand, duties of state police officers range from investigations of crimes committed within the state and highway patrol service. In some states, these officers are required to perform either of the functions and not both. Investigative roles are mainly designated to special police units called the bureaus. The state police department work in line with the local police officers in security matters and investigations including emergencies that go beyond the jurisdictions of the local agencies. Special jurisdiction officers are those created by the government to deal with special issues in areas that are within another’s control. These jurisdictions include but not limited to transport facilities such as subways, airports, parks, schools, housing authorities, hospitals and government buildings. Officers operating in special jurisdictions offer similar services as those offered by the local police force. Sheriffs are police officers who are authorized by the state government in enforcing order and security at the local level. Deputy Sheriffs operates within the local prison departments; respond to security emergencies as well as serving court summons and warrants. Generally, police officers in USA are mandated to keep law and order and in another perspective, “to protect and serve.” This phrase, which can be seen written on the sides of a majority of police cars, is an emphasis on the role that the officers play. Although the society takes the role of police as only enforcing laws, Scholars have subdivided police function into two areas: Law enforcement and maintaining orders. These definitions do not however exhaust the roles of police, as there are other roles besides the two. Apart from keeping security and order, the police agency deal with many...