There exist numerous misconceptions about the nature and functions of police in the United States. This is because of how the media and society at large portrays them. Many people have different perspectives on the fundamental functions of the police not only at the local stage, but also at the state and federal level. Nevertheless, the police at the local, state and federal level tend to have similar roles, and that is to ensure law and order and ensure citizens get the requisite protection. However, these functions get limited to the jurisdiction in which a police force gets assigned. Therefore, the police at the local level tend to have a slightly different role from state police and so do federal police. The roles, which these security agencies play is extremely vital in their jurisdiction. This paper will examine the various perspectives of policing functions at all levels.
Role of the local police
Local police is the most conspicuous of all the law enforcement forces. They get involved in the daily life of citizens in an attempt to maintain peace and prevent crimes. They patrol the streets and keep the neighborhood safe. The local police, fundamentally, have the following functions; patrol duties, public assistance, traffic control and responding to distress calls. Therefore, a local police officer should have the requisite training not only in order to be able to detect crimes in their area of jurisdiction, but also able to amply serve the local community. The local police stations usually have a small number of sworn police officers. These are officers tasked with providing service to the community and at times required to undertake notable assignments. Some of these assignments include; SWAT, and crime scene investigations and field training for recruits.
Local police officers get often criticized of not caring for the vicinity in which they protect. However, this is not always the case. Police officers are always present to serve, protect and safeguard the peaceful coexistence of the community. Without police officers, the local vicinity would experience a lot of violence related activities, fraud and could be out of control. It is, therefore, prudent for the community not only to respect police officers, but also to assist them in the daily operations.
The role of the state police
Law enforcements agencies operating at the state level have also various responsibilities. Their jurisdiction covers the whole state. This, therefore, means they have powers and the legitimacy to maintain law and order throughout a state. The law enforcement agency in the state of Georgia is Georgia department of public safety. The department has several divisions that deal with ensuring public safety. One of the chief divisions is the Georgia State Patrol (GSP). This is mainly concerned with the highway patrol. The force has jurisdiction all over the state except military facilities. The main role played by the GSP troopers occurs in the interstate highway. Here, the troopers ensure compliance to traffic rules and regulations. They also provide SWAT response to marginalized.
The GSP is run by the Georgia department of safety, which got created in the year 1937. The department head is a commissioner. The department also runs the daily operations of motor carrier compliance division and the Capital police force. The GSP’s head is a Major and is in charge of field operations. They deal with traffic offences, crashes and arrest criminal in state roads. The capital police of the state of Georgia deal with detecting and preventing criminal acts and omissions, committed against the public or the state.
The role of the federal police force
This is the ultimate law enforcement agency with regards to policing in the United States. The United States code USC gives federal police force jurisdiction throughout the United States. They have a mandate of ensuring compliance of all federal laws in all states. The department of justice (DOJ) is in charge of policing in the United States. Federal officers operate at the highest levels and have clearance that overrides their counterparts at the local and state levels. The USA patriotic act is responsible for broadening investigative powers for federal officers. The DOJ includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) police, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) among others crucial policing divisions.
However, despite the fact the federal police has a broad jurisdictions command of complex situations or disasters in which numerous persons get hurt remain unresolved. This is because not only local police officers get involved, but also the state and federal police. However, the command protocol gets usually arrived through mutual agreements. The constitution has provisions that restrict the federal government against exercising complete policing powers. Nevertheless, the constitution provides the federal policing agencies the power to handle interstate affairs and foreign affairs policing business.
Impact of possible future law changes
The constitution of the United States, through the bill of rights, dictates the conduct of police officers while handling civilians. It gives precise and necessary ways to apprehend a suspected criminal. The 5th and 4th amendments are particularly clear in limiting the power of police officers while arresting a suspect. The USA patriotic act also comes in handy in stipulating the relationships between police officers of different jurisdictions. It provides ways of interaction and cooperation. Despite these status quo, this paper predicts a complete shift in the near future on how policing at the local, state and federal levels. States will seek to enact legislation that gives state police officers a higher hand in matters affecting them. Another set of regulations that will soon come to change involves terror and acts of terrorism. The debate about civil rights versus national security has never been conclusively decided. While it is fundamental to safeguards citizens civil rights and liberties, it is also essential to maintain an orderly, safe and terror free state and country. Therefore, more regulation will soon be put in a position, to make sure that, the police are not only alert to terror acts, but also quick to arrest suspected persons. The police continue to face national pressure to review their policies with regards to civil rights, but with daily threats of terrorism, the government has continuously been reviewing its policies to the contrary.
The police force, whether at the local, state and national level have an enormous task of maintaining law and order. This is despite several other peripheral chores that they perform on the day to day basis. They pursue justice on behalf of the community and society at large. It is prudent that they get encouraged and motivated to ensure that they carry their job effectively.
References
Bumgarner, J. B. (2006). Federal Agents: The Growth of Federal Law Enforcement in America. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group.
MacVean, A., Grieve, J., & Harfield, C. (2007). Policing. New York: SAGE.
Smith, D. J., & Henry, A. (2007). Transformations of Policing. New York: Ashgate Publishing.
Wright, A. (2002). Policing: An Introduction to Concepts and Practice. New York: Willan.
Bumgarner, J. B. (2006). Federal Agents: The Growth of Federal Law Enforcement in America. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group.
MacVean, A., Grieve, J., & Harfield, C. (2007). Policing. New York: SAGE.
Smith, D. J., & Henry, A. (2007). Transformations of Policing. New York: Ashgate Publishing.
Wright, A. (2002). Policing: An Introduction to Concepts and Practice. New York: Willan.
