The main objective of this document is to aid in describing the functions of policing, clearly identifying the different levels of this unit and to be able to distinguish the various roles and responsibilities of different law enforcement agencies that are expected to safeguard the rights and the welfare of the society that it serves. It also includes the possible scenarios or trends that may influence the way policing is structured to be able to function amidst the ever changing needs brought about by trends in local, state and federal laws.
There are three levels and they are commonly known as state, federal and local policing. In order to fully analyze and understand the functions of each level, it is best to be familiar with a web of all the other agencies that belong to each one. Policing is a multifaceted organizational unit and if someone wants to be a little, if not fully knowledgeable about its function, it is highly advised to look into those that are contained within each of the levels of policing.
For state policing, the state police and highway patrol police belongs to this particular level. Highway patrol officers are responsible for the maintenance and order of traffic laws of the state’s main highway while the state police is in charge of criminal investigations within the state. There are instances where these two agencies work alongside each other therefore their responsibilities are allegedly considered to be collective. Furthermore, a major percentage of the police agencies under this level are manage training schools. There are also a number of states that require these agencies to be the ones in charge of the local police department’s training system for the newly recruited.
Now aiming at federal policing, the level that is not as dense as the other two since they are composed of agencies that are focused on specific roles with regards to carrying out a selected number of federal bylaws. Here’s to name a few of the most prominent agencies under the federal level:
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - They are the forerunners in investigating federal offenses such as espionage, terrorism, organized crimes and certain types of crimes related to drugs.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - They’re responsible for imposing federal drug laws. They also help a number of other foreign and federal bureaus in stopping and preventing international illegal drug manufacture and trade. The Controlled Substance Act is also being managed by this agency.
Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) - Their role is to administer the operations involved with the federal prison system and also handles all judicial mandates for federal executions.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) - This agency is focused in the investigation of bombings and arson and stopping federal offenses which includes illegal trade of alcohol and tobacco and unauthorized manufacturing, possession and use of explosives and firearms. They also control the transport, sale and possession of ammunition, explosives and firearms.
Local policing is actually made up of some agencies that have the most challenging roles in comparison to those from other levels. The municipal police agency handles the role of maintaining order and executes a great number of different emergency situations on a daily basis. The county or city police officers operate by handling a lot of severe crimes, excessively committed at most times within the city. Other agencies that are under this level are the county sheriff’s department, the medical examiner or the coroner and the tribal police.
There are about 10 most critical trends that have been identified to affect and change the laws and ultimately the future of policing. These include current trends in technology, societal values, the global economy, the rise of islamic militants, mass migration, privacy, longer life expectancy, urbanization, the existence of specialization in various fields, industries and professions and the rapidly dying work ethic of people.
These are just some of the biggest factors that would certainly create a huge impact and change the way future policing laws are structured and formulated. On a positive light; this would also result to a more efficient and more productive way of policing. Advancements in technology would allow various law enforcement organizations to tap into unlimited sources of knowledge and information which would make the lives of people safer by being able to respond quickly and satisfactorily.
References:
1. Clark R. (2009). The Police Component of Criminal Justice. 23 January 2009. Retrieved from web. http://faculty.ncwc.edu/mstevens/111/111lect05.htm
2. Policing 2020: Exploring the future of crime, communities, and policing. Retrieved from web. http://www.policefuturists.org/pdf/Policing2020.pdf
