Cja 394 Policing Functions Research Paper

Policing Functions Paper
Priscilla Martinez
CJA/394
November 25, 2013
Instructor: Jeffrey Hooker

Abstract
Law enforcement in the United States have three levels of law enforcement that are local, state, and federal who have tasks every day , but their functions are somewhat distinct. Their main purpose of their daily objective is to serve and protect all citizens from any harm, and they also enforce all laws to people violating them as well. Because each agency has their distinct aspects in their work, this paper will provide a detailed summary of the local, state, and federal law enforcement, and a summary of possible future changes in laws and the impact these changes will have on policing.
Local law enforcement enforces traffic and criminal laws within their jurisdiction. These men and women of law risk their lives every day; they know the dangers of their job. Depending where in the city they patrol by foot, patrol car, and a motorcycle. Their job may be simple because they also answer to dispatch involving accidents, robberies, or any misdemeanor or felony crimes. As part of their job when they are called in for crime scenes they do conduct investigations that include gathering evidence, making arrests, and speaking with potential witnesses. The police officers do have their chief in command who they vote for which is called the “Chief of Police”, their job is to make sure his or her officers are committing to their job, and are given their specific rules each day by the chief to keep safe on patrol. The local police officers also like to become more involved with the community to make sure that their community feel safe, and are providing accurate service to
To mention some of the organizations in the department of homeland security are Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The federal law enforcement deal with issues such as immigration, drug sales, and importation, the regulation of weapons, and threats to domestic security such as terrorism. Federal law enforcement agencies have jurisdiction over local and state agencies. Every organizations that involved federal law enforcement employees have their specific job duties, and the reason they are divided in two section is that after “September 11, 2001, there was a substantial movement led by President George W. Bush to alter the organizational structure of federal law enforcement in the United States.”(Walker – Katz, 2008) They do specialize in very high specialized crime investigations that involve human trafficking, or drug smuggling, which are the U.S. Customs and Border protection, who are on the checkpoint of cities and states on a 24/7 basis making sure there is not anything illegal crossing over. They do have dogs that also part of the federal police that help them capture immigrants, or smell drugs in the area. They do have the toughest job even though they do not have to respond to 9-11 calls, but they do come across very