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Criminal Justice - Police Function

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    Study Guide Criminal Jus Ɵ ce – Police Func Ɵ on 1. Police Systems Police agencies in the United States work at many different levels. Together, they form a large and complex system designed to keep communities safe and enforce the law. Across the country, there are about 17,500 police agencies operating at the national, state, county, and city levels. These agencies employ more than 800,000 people , including both sworn officers and civilian staff. 1.1 Types of Police Agencies These agencies fall into several major categories: • 50 federal law enforcement agencies • 49 state police departments • 1,721 special police agencies , such as transit police and school police • 3,086 sheriff’s departments • 12,502 municipal (city) police departments Each type of agency has its own role and area of responsibility. 1.2 Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Federal police agencies operate as part of the executive branch of the U.S. government . Their main job is to enforce federal laws and address crimes that affect the nation as a whole.

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    Study Guide 1.3 Major Federal Agencies 1.3.1 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) The FBI is part of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and investigates more than 200 types of federal crimes . Its main focus areas include: • Terrorism • Organized crime (including drug trafficking) • White - collar crime • Civil rights violations • Violent crimes such as bank robbery and kidnapping The FBI also supports other law enforcement agencies by providing crime statistics, forensic lab services, fingerprint databases, and training through its academy. As organized crime has grown more powerful, the FBI has received expanded authority, includi ng the ability to conduct wiretaps. 1.3.2 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) The ATF investigates crimes involving firearms and explosives . It also targets outlaw motorcycle gangs that violate federal laws related to weapons, explosives, and drug trafficking. 1.3.3 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) The DEA, another DOJ agency, is responsible for enforcing federal drug laws . Its agents investigate drug crimes, seize illegal drugs, and arrest drug traffickers. 1.3.4 U.S. Marshals Service U.S. marshals provide security for federal courts and protect federal judges (except Supreme Court justices, who have their own police force). Marshals also: • Capture escaped federal prisoners • Supervise people arrested on federal charges

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    Study Guide • Run the federal witness protection program , which gives new identities and protection to key witnesses in federal cases 1.3.5 Secret Service The Secret Service has two main responsibilities: • Investigating counterfeiting of U.S. currency • Protecting the president and other high - ranking federal officials 1.3.6 Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) The INS was responsible for enforcing immigration laws. Its agents patrolled U.S. borders, prevented illegal entry, and deported people who violated immigration laws. During the 1990s, INS efforts focused heavily on the U.S. – Mexico border , where large numbers of undocumented immigrants and illegal drugs entered the country. Although hundreds of thousands of people were arrested each year, many more still managed to enter the United States. 1.4 The Interna Ɵ onaliza Ɵ on of Law Enforcement Crime is no longer limited by national borders. Because of global problems such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and terrorism , U.S. law enforcement agencies now operate internationally. By 1998 , more than 1,500 American law enforcement officers were stationed in over 50 countries . Their goal was to work with foreign governments to fight crime before it reached the United States. 1.5 State Police Almost every state has its own police force with authority across the entire state. Hawaii is the only exception . The California Highway Patrol is the largest state police agency in the country. State police leaders are usually appointed by the governor . 1.6 Responsibili Ɵ es of State Police State police agencies may:

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    Study Guide • Assist local police with major criminal investigations • Maintain statewide crime records • Patrol highways and major roads • Operate crime laboratories • Train city and county police officers 1.7 County Police: Sheri ff ’s Departments Sheriffs are responsible for law enforcement in rural and unincorporated areas of counties. The position of sheriff is elected , not appointed. Du Ɵ es of Sheri ff s Many sheriffs handle a wide range of responsibilities, including: • Law enforcement • Court security • Corrections In many states, sheriffs: • Operate county jails • Serve as officers of the county courts • Provide bailiffs for courtroom security • Transport prisoners • Serve legal documents, such as subpoenas and warrants Sheriff’s departments vary greatly in size. • The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is the largest, with over 11,000 full - time employees . • At the other extreme, 19 sheriff’s departments have only one employee .

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    Study Guide 1.8 Municipal (City) Police Municipal police departments make up the largest number of agencies and employ most sworn police officers . They handle the majority of violent crime in the United States. In large cities, police chiefs are usually appointed by mayors or city managers . Big City vs. Small Town Policing Police departments differ greatly depending on the size of the city and the types of crime they face. The “Big Six” departments — New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, and Detroit — deal with the highest levels of serious violent crime. • The New York Police Department (NYPD) employs more than 36,000 full - time officers . • Large departments often face intense public attention, including media coverage of shootings, scandals, and corruption. In contrast, most police departments are very small . In these communities, officers spend much of their time handling: • Traffic violations • Minor disputes • Everyday community concerns 2. Police Organiza Ɵ on Most police departments in the United States are organized in a very specific way. They are bureaucratic organizations and often operate with a military - style structure . This type of organization shapes how officers work, how decisions are made, and how the public experiences policing. 2.1 The Police Bureaucracy Police departments are structured as bureaucracies , which means they follow a formal and organized system.

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    Study Guide 2.2 Key Features of Police Bureaucracy Police bureaucracies are characterized by: • Specialization of duties , where officers and staff have specific roles and responsibilities • Objective qualifications for jobs, such as training and exams • Strict rules and regulations that guide daily actions • A clear chain of command , where authority flows from top leaders down to officers in the field This structure is designed to maximize efficiency and ensure that departments operate in a consistent and organized way. 2.3 Drawbacks of Bureaucracy While bureaucracy can be efficient, it also has disadvantages. In police work, bureaucracy can: • Limit flexibility when officers need to respond to unique situations • Make departments seem indifferent to individual or community needs • Create excessive red tape , where too many rules slow down decision - making and problem - solving As a result, strict bureaucracy can sometimes interfere with effective policing. 2.4 Quasi - Military Features of Police Departments In addition to being bureaucratic, most police departments are quasi - military organizations , meaning they share many features with the military. Military - Style Characteris Ɵ cs Police departments often include: • Uniforms that promote authority and unity • Firearms and equipment similar to military gear • A rank structure , such as patrol officer, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain

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    Study Guide • An authoritarian command system , where orders move from the top down with little input from lower ranks Police departments also borrow military language, such as referring to crime control as the “war on crime.” 2.5 Problems with the Military Model The military style can create serious challenges. When police see themselves as being at war with crime, it can lead to an “ends justify the means” mindset . This belief suggests that any action is acceptable if it helps fight crime. This way of thinking can result in: • Police perjury • Unnecessary use of force or violence • Other abuses of power These outcomes damage public trust and undermine justice. 2.6 Police Management Styles Political scientist James Q. Wilson identified three main styles of police management. Each style reflects a different philosophy about how officers should do their jobs. 2.6.1 Watchman Style The watchman style focuses on maintaining order , especially in communities with higher levels of disorder. • Officers often ignore minor violations • Disputes are settled informally • Officers may use street justice rather than formal legal action This style values peace and stability over strict law enforcement.

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