Overview
This lecture explains the structure, jurisdiction, and main functions of federal, state, and local police forces in the United States, highlighting their similarities and differences.
Types and Examples of Police in the US
- Law enforcement is organized at federal, state, and local (county, city, town) levels.
- Federal agencies include FBI, DEA, US Marshals, Border Patrol, Secret Service, and ATF.
- State agencies include Highway Patrols and State Police (e.g., California Highway Patrol, Alaska State Troopers).
- Local agencies include city police (e.g., NYPD, LAPD), county sheriff's departments, and small-town police forces.
Jurisdiction and Responsibilities
- Jurisdiction limits where a police agency can operate and enforce laws.
- Local police enforce town, city, and county laws within their area.
- State police enforce state laws and often cover highways or rural areas without local police.
- Federal agencies enforce federal law and intervene when crimes cross state lines or violate federal statutes.
- The concept of "fresh pursuit" allows police to chase suspects beyond their jurisdiction under certain conditions.
Main Purposes of Each Level
- Federal agents (usually called "agents" not "police") enforce federal laws and are overseen by DOJ or DHS.
- State police enforce state law, patrol highways, and supplement local policing in rural areas.
- Local police enforce municipal, county, state, and sometimes federal law within their boundaries.
- Gaps in local policing are filled by county or state police as needed.
Similarities and Differences Across Levels
- All police enforce laws and maintain order, but each level varies in scope and specialization.
- Federal agencies focus on specialized crimes (drugs, firearms, etc.) but may handle broader cases.
- All levels may have special units like SWAT teams for high-risk situations.
- Agencies can work together on joint task forces, but generally patrol and operate in their designated areas.
- Training standards differ: federal agencies are more uniform, while state/local standards vary widely.
- Educational requirements range from high school diplomas (local) to four-year degrees (federal).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Jurisdiction — the legal area where a police agency can enforce laws.
- Federal agency — a national law enforcement body enforcing US federal laws.
- State police — law enforcement that operates at the state level.
- Local police — city, county, or town police enforcing local and state laws.
- Fresh pursuit — the authority to chase a suspect beyond jurisdiction due to an observed crime.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review main differences between federal, state, and local police for exam preparation.
- Research your own state's police agencies for further understanding.
- No specific homework or readings were assigned.