Criminal

There are many times of police agencies around the world. Local agency would be police departments. They deal with crimes in the county that they live in. For example when someone breaks into a residence the local police department investigates the crime and arrest the criminal. The United States has about 1,600 town police stations. Most local agencies have a small amount of police men whose jurisdiction is widely spread.

State agencies would be state patrol. State patrol focuses on the safety of motorists on interstate highways, and the enforce traffic laws. For example if a state patrol officer pulls over someone who is speeding he can issue a ticket. Texas created the first state agency in 1835, now every state except Hawaii has a state agency. Pennsylvania has been a model agency for other states.

Federal agencies would be the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI’s job is to investigate violations of federal criminal law and to assist local agencies in investigations. For example when a city is having a problem with a serial killer the FBI may be called in to help investigate the crimes. The FBI was also named the primary agency in charge of domestic and international terrorism. The FBI was created in 1908 and in 1909 was named Bureau of Investigation.

County agencies would be county police departments. County police departments usually are in places where the work load is too great for just the sheriff’s department. Their duties are but not limited to carrying out court orders and operating the county jail. For example if someone is sentenced to three years in jail than they take the criminal to jail. In all but two states, sheriffs are elected for a two- to four-year term.