In the United States, the Law Enforcement comprises of a complex structure that has more than 23,000 federal, state and local agencies. The fundamental purpose of these law enforcement bodies involves protecting the society among other various responsibilities and roles. For instance, the state police are mandated to conduct statewide investigations and highway patrols. They also offer emergency and investigation assistance to the local police if such duties extend beyond the jurisdictional boundaries and resources of the local agencies (Conser et al. 2011). In addition, the state police are entitled to handle technical, training, and administrative duties and the court related roles. Since 9/11 attack, the state police officers have been carrying out counter-terrorism duties such as advising governors and legislature on the security matters, infrastructure protection, and conduct threat assessment in the respective states.
The state police officers are also assigned to specialized police units that conduct special police responsibilities. For instance, game wardens are mandated to the enforcement of hunting laws. Various states have also established independent policing agencies such as Alcohol Beverage Control, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Department of Criminal Investigation. Such bodies are entitled to responsibilities such as conducting investigations and law enforcement with accordance to states specifications. To facilitate their roles, they collaborate with other police agencies within and outside the state (Conser et al. 2011).
The state policing functions are similar to the local and federal level because they are assigned the responsibilities and duties of enhancing safety and protecting the rights of the citizen within their operational areas. All levels of policing enforce the law, protect and serve, and make arrest in their assigned areas. However, the state policing is different from other levels of policing regarding organizational, administration, operational, and management function. For instance, while the state police agencies abide by the law formulated by their areas of jurisdiction, federal agencies operates under federal laws. On the other hand, local police agencies operate under municipal or city rules. However, federal laws also govern both state and local policing agents. In addition, the federal and state law enforcement are perceived as more professional and significant than the local police agencies (Cordner, & Scarborough, 2010)
References
Conser, J. A., Paynich, R., Gingerich, T. E., & Gingerich, T. (2011). Law enforcement in the United States. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Cordner, G., & Scarborough, K. (2010, January). Information Sharing: Exploring the Intersection of Policing with National and Military Intelligence | HOMELAND SECURITY AFFAIRS. Retrieved January 30, 2016, from https://www.hsaj.org/articles/92
