Law enforcement agencies work at the local, state, and federal levels to keep order and protect citizens. Police personnel attend at accident scenes and other emergencies, conduct search and rescue operations, and educate the public about safety and other matters. The job of a police officer is one that requires a person to be physically and mentally fit, as well as of good character.
City police forces are just one example of law enforcement agencies. Officers and detectives have jurisdiction within the city limits to enforce the law and investigate local crimes. Law enforcement agencies also include state police forces. This force has jurisdiction over the entire state, and is usually responsible for law enforcement on state highways. State police departments may offer training to recruits for forces that are too small to perform this function themselves, as well as provide protection services to the state governor.
The state police may operate a water unit, known as the Marine Patrol, Harbor Patrol, or Water Police. These police officers are responsible for public safety on lakes and rivers. They provide safety information to boaters as well as investigating crimes that take place on or near the water. Search and rescue or search and recovery operations are part of the Marine Patrol's duties, and some of their officers may have dive training to perform these duties.
Branches of the military have their own law enforcement personnel. Military police are a special police force that investigates crimes involving servicemen and women. In some countries, the local police force is one that has jurisdiction over members of the military, as well as civilians. An example of this type of law enforcement is the French Gendarmerie.
Federal law enforcement agencies are involved in border security and national security functions. Customs officers are responsible for enforcing customs regulations, as well as other federal laws. They have the power to turn away prospective visitors who are attempting to enter the country illegally, seize contraband entering or leaving their country, and ensuring that the correct amount of duties are collected on imports.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is an example of a federal law enforcement agency that is responsible for investigating a number of types of criminal offenses, including cybercrime, organized crime, terrorism, and white-collar crime. This agency is also responsible for investigating allegations of public corruption, major thefts, and violent crimes. The FBI also provides laboratory services to other law enforcement agencies nationwide.
