Law Enforcement in

the United States

Comparative Police System

Policing in the United States is

conducted by numerous types of
agencies at many different levels.
Every state has their own
nomenclature for agencies, and
their powers, responsibilities and
funding varies from state to state.

Types of police

(1)

the federal system, consisting of

the Department of Homeland
Security and the Department of
Justice, including the FBI, the Drug
Enforcement Administration, the
Secret Service, the Postal
Inspection Service, and many
others;

Five (5) major police agency

(2) police forces and

criminal investigation
agencies established by
each of the 50 states of the
union;

(3) sheriffs departments in

several thousand counties,
plus a few county police
forces that either duplicate
the sheriffs police
jurisdictions or displace
them

(4) the police forces of about

1,000 cities and more than
20,000 townships and New
England towns; and
(5) the police of some 15,000
villages, boroughs, and
incorporated towns.

Federal law enforcement authorities have

authority, given to them under various
parts of the United States Code (U.S.C.).
Federal law enforcement officers enforce
various laws, generally at only the federal
level. There are exceptions, with some
agencies and officials enforcing state and
tribal codes. Most are limited by the U.S.
Code to investigating matters that are
explicitly within the power of the federal
government

Federal

In the United States, state police are a

police body unique to each U.S. state,
having statewide authority to conduct
law enforcement activities and criminal
investigations. In general, they perform
functions outside the jurisdiction of the
county sheriff (Vermont being a notable
exception), such as enforcing traffic laws
on state highways and interstate
expressways

State Police

County police tend to exist only

in metropolitan counties and
have countywide jurisdiction. In
some areas, there is a sheriff's
department which only handles
minor issues such as service of
papers and security for the local
courthouse

County

In the United States, a sheriff is a sworn law

enforcement officer and the duties of his/her
office vary across states and counties. A sheriff is
generally an elected county official, with duties
that typically include policing unincorporated
areas, maintaining county jails, providing
security to courts in the county, and (in some
states) serving warrants and court papers. In
addition to these policing and correction services,
a sheriff is often responsible for enforcing civil
law within his/her jurisdiction.
A sheriff (or High sheriff) is a ceremonial county
or city official in England, Wales, Northern
Ireland.
In Scotland, sheriffs are judges.[1]

sheriff

In the Republic of Ireland, sheriffs are legal officials

similar to bailiffs in some counties and in the cities of
Dublin and Cork.
In Australia and South Africa sheriffs are legal officials
similar to bailiffs. In these countries there is no link
maintained between counties and sheriffs.
In Canada, sheriffs exist in most provinces. The
provincial sheriff services generally manage and
transport court prisoners, serve court orders, and in some
provinces sheriffs provide security for the court system,
protect public officials, support investigations by local
police services and in Alberta, sheriffs carry out traffic
enforcement

Municipal police range from one-officer

agencies (sometimes still called the town
marshal) to the 50,000 person-strong of the
New York City Police Department. Most
municipal agencies take the form (Municipality
Name) Police Department. Many individual
cities and towns will have their own police
department, with larger communities typically
having larger departments with greater
budgets, resources, and responsibilities.

Municipal police

Be a United States citizen (waived in certain agencies if the

applicant is a lawful resident).
Must have a high school diploma or a GED and if necessary a
college degree or served in the United States military without a
dishonorable discharge;
Be in good medical, physical, and psychological condition;
Maintain a clean criminal record without either serious or repeated
misdemeanor or any felony convictions;
Must have a valid driver's license with a clean driving record and
that is not currently or has a history of being suspended or revoked;
Be of high moral character;
Not have a history of prior narcotic or repeated marijuana use or
alcoholism;
Not have a history of ethical, professional, prior employment, motor
vehicle, educational, or financial improprieties;
Not have a history of domestic violence or mental illness;
Not to pose a safety and security risk;
Be legally eligible to own and carry a firearm.

Entry Qualification