Law Enforcement Agents and Agencies - Essay Example

Both local, state, and federal agencies work closely with one another in efforts to maintaining law and order. Different Law enforcement agencies may take an interest in an individual's activities depending on the jurisdiction of that person. The Local Municipal police are in charge of patrol and investigations for a single city. Their activities are limited to the location they are assigned to. State law agencies are responsible for maintaining law and order across the state jurisdiction.  The federal law enforcement agencies have a similar duty to prevent, detect, and investigate suspected criminal activities, as well as to apprehend the offenders at the federal level.

They have the broadest possible geographic responsibility to all 50 states in the United States. However, their duties solely depend on the authorization given by the individual state. In my view, the three levels have similar functions and work together regularly to investigate crimes and prosecute offenders. They have the same investigative responsibilities whose aim is to ensure order, enforce government laws and render services to the citizens. The only major difference is in the jurisdiction upon which each level of law enforcement conducts its activities.

The three levels all have a similar goal which is to keep the public safe and ensure that those who violate the law get punished. The duties of local law enforcement agents include enforcement of traffic laws, making arrests, participating in raids to round up suspects, and responding to emergency calls. The local officers have the authority to conduct searches on individuals or premises that they reasonably believe to have any involvement in criminal affairs, apprehend and arrest suspected criminals.

They are responsible for investigating any criminal activity received in their respective agencies. Also, the fact that they are the first at the crime scene, they conduct interviews with eyewitnesses and study the crime scene in order to document the facts of a crime or an accident. On the scene, they remain on high alert looking out for suspects by watching for suspicious activity and ensuring that the crime scene stands protected. On the other hand, a Federal law enforcement agency is in charge of federal crimes that take place in more than one jurisdiction and offers assistance to local and state law enforcement when called upon.

The DEA, for example, conducts investigations on violations of drug laws, executes search warrants, collects evidence, and seizes property linked with drug dealings. FBI agents conduct surveillance, execute search warrants, interview witnesses and also gather evidence. The Federal Marshals Service deals with tracking down fugitives and providing security in federal courts. Ideally, the best way to solve cross-jurisdictional or regional criminals is through a joint effort.