Southern New Hampshire University
CJ-205 Policing in the United States
Module One Notes
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Describe the functions and responsibilities of law enforcement officers
What are the different local enforcement agencies and how do they function
differently?
MUNICIPAL
Under the control of the local government
Receive funding from the city budget
Less authority than state paid police
Primary purpose is to preserve the peace, protect persons and property, and adhering and
enforcing criminal laws on a local and state level
COUNTY
Responsibilities include arresting law violators, performing routine patrol, investigating
crimes, enforcing traffic laws, providing crowd and traffic control at public events, and
issuing special licenses and permits.
Some county law enforcement officers perform administrative or criminal investigations,
training, and tech support services.
TRIBAL
Provide an array of public safety services.
Respond to calls for service, investigate crimes, execute arrest warrants, enforce traffic
laws, and conduct search and rescue efforts.
Differ from other law enforcement agencies by reason of they stem from the unique
culture, geography, and economics on American Indian reservations
Limited technological and administrative resources
Inadequate communications between tribal agencies and federal agencies
Generally, state laws do not apply to tribal communities; however, federal and tribal laws
do apply
REGIONAL
Regional agencies include the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of
Investigations (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Marshals Service,
and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), just to name a few
Department of Justice- Responsible for enforcing all federal laws, representing the
government when it is involved in a court action, and conducting independent
investigations through various law enforcement services
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)- Primary agency responsible for the
enforcement of all federal laws not falling under the purview of other federal agencies.
All agents must attend the FBI academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)- Duties include engaging in drug
interdiction, conducting surveillance operations, infiltrating drug rings, and arresting
major narcotics violators
U.S. Marshals Service- Primary function is to transport prisoners between prisons and
courts and the security of federal court facilities
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)- Nations primary revenue-collection agency. In charge
of the enforcement of laws and regulating federal income tax and its collection.
What is the largest state law enforcement agency?
The California Highway Patrol, which has about 7,202 sworn officers.
What does the Uniform Crime Report (UCR) measure?
The Uniform Crime Report provides an annual compilation of information that includes
crimes reported to local police agencies, arrests, and officers killed or wounded in the line
of duty. The American public refer to the UCR for information on fluctuations in the
level of crime.
Part I- Index Crimes: Includes murder, nonnegligent manslaughter, robbery, forcible
rape, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, arson, and motor vehicle theft.
National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS): Provides comprehensive and
detailed information about crime incidents to law enforcement, researchers, governmental
planners, students of crime, and the general public.
What is a quasi-military organization?
A quasi-military organization are organizations that are like the military. Police are
organized along structures of authority and reporting relationships; they wear military-
style uniforms, they use a military-style ranking system, they carry weapons, and are
authorized by the law to use force.
What is the role of unions in policing agencies?
Unions in policing influence the structure and operations of police enforcement agencies
in one of two ways: from the bottom up via collective bargaining, and from the top down
via political activity. Engage in political activity, crime legislation, and legal protections
for officers.
What is the difference between sworn and non-sworn civilian personnel?
Sworn members are police employees that are given traditional police powers by state
and local laws, such as penal or criminal laws and criminal procedure laws.
oHave highly organized ranking structure (chain of command).
1. Police Officer- Serve as the workers in the organization. Perform basic
duties for which the organization exists. Under the control of supervisors.
2. Corporal or Master Patrol Officer- Serve as an intermediate rank
between police officers and the first-line supervisor.
3. Detective/Investigator- Role is to investigate past crimes. Do not exercise
a supervisory role over police officers except at a crime scene, where they
are in charge.
4. Sergeant- First supervisor in the police chain of command. Front line
supervisor. Stands between officer and lieutenant, communicates between
the two roles, executing orders from the lieutenant and grievances from
officers.
5. Lieutenant- Lieutenant oversees entire platoon. (Platoon is all the people
working on a particular tour or shift). In charge of employees working and
all police operations occurring on a particular tour or shift.
6. Captain- Responsible for all personnel and all activities in a particular
unit, on a 24-hour-a-day basis. The captain depends on the lieutenant and
sergeants beneath their command to communicate orders to officers.
7. Chief of Police/Police Commissioner- Head of police agency. Typically,
an appointed official by the mayor, county executive, or mayor.
Non-sworn members are police employees that are without traditional police powers
generally assigned to noncritical or nonenforcement tasks.
What are the functions of state police?
1. Preserving the peace
2. Protecting persons and property
3. Obeying and enforcing criminal laws of the state and local ordinances
Where are special jurisdiction police authorized?
In places such as parks, schools, airports/subways, hospitals, housing authorities, and
government buildings.
At what local level do deputy sheriffs enforce state laws?
On a local level, deputy sheriffs are responsible for patrolling counties, arresting
criminals, investigating county crimes and providing assistance during emergency events
or natural disasters.
