Levels of Law Enforcement in the United States
An overview of the four levels of U.S. law enforcement—federal, state, county, and local—explaining each agency’s jurisdiction and responsibilities, from FBI investigations to local police maintaining city safety and public order.
Mason Bennett
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Levels of Law Enforcement in the United States
There are four levels of agencies in law enforcement. They are federal, state, county, and
local policing agencies. Federal agencies are responsible for enforcing federal laws and have
jurisdiction across the entire country. An example of a federal law enforcement agency is the
FBI. They investigate crimes that fall under federal jurisdiction, such as terrorism, drug
tracking, and organized crime. State police agencies are responsible for enforcing state laws
within their jurisdiction. Each state has its own state police agency. State police are typically
involved in patrolling highways, investigating traffic accidents, enforcing traffic laws, and
assisting local law enforcement agencies when needed. County agencies are going to be the
county sheriff's offices. Sheriffs are elected officials who oversee the county sheriff's offices.
Their agencies are responsible for enforcing state laws within the county they serve. County
sheriff offices often provide law enforcement services in rural areas and may also operate
county jails. They work closely with other local law enforcement agencies. Local policing
agencies are responsible for enforcing local laws within specific cities or municipalities. They
are the most common type of law enforcement agency and handle a wide range of duties,
including responding to emergency calls, investigating crimes, patrolling neighborhoods, and
maintaining public order.
Resources
Siegel, L. J., & Worrall, J. L (2022). Introduction to criminal justice. Cengage Learning, Inc.
There are four levels of agencies in law enforcement. They are federal, state, county, and
local policing agencies. Federal agencies are responsible for enforcing federal laws and have
jurisdiction across the entire country. An example of a federal law enforcement agency is the
FBI. They investigate crimes that fall under federal jurisdiction, such as terrorism, drug
tracking, and organized crime. State police agencies are responsible for enforcing state laws
within their jurisdiction. Each state has its own state police agency. State police are typically
involved in patrolling highways, investigating traffic accidents, enforcing traffic laws, and
assisting local law enforcement agencies when needed. County agencies are going to be the
county sheriff's offices. Sheriffs are elected officials who oversee the county sheriff's offices.
Their agencies are responsible for enforcing state laws within the county they serve. County
sheriff offices often provide law enforcement services in rural areas and may also operate
county jails. They work closely with other local law enforcement agencies. Local policing
agencies are responsible for enforcing local laws within specific cities or municipalities. They
are the most common type of law enforcement agency and handle a wide range of duties,
including responding to emergency calls, investigating crimes, patrolling neighborhoods, and
maintaining public order.
Resources
Siegel, L. J., & Worrall, J. L (2022). Introduction to criminal justice. Cengage Learning, Inc.
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Subject
Criminal Justice