The diversity of employment possibilities available today in the field of law enforcement is large, and continuing to expand. There are front-line positions available at every level of government. Some positions require wearing a uniform, while others rely on the agent to blend in with the general population. Regardless of the attire, enforcing the law at any level can be extremely rewarding.

Divisions of Government

There are four main levels of government related to law enforcement that require defining:

• Local

• County

• State

• Federal

The federal subdivision can be further broken down into those branches relating to domestic activities, foreign activities, and the military. There are also law enforcement jobs in this country that are performed by civilians, meaning those not under oath of office. Skip chasers (or bounty hunters) and private security agents, who have an extremely narrow focus and very few legal powers, are often the first individuals to confront criminals. As a result, they become an integral part of the legal process as the offender moves through the criminal justice system. In order for enforcers at all levels of government, including civilians, to be effective in bringing criminals to justice, they must all follow conventional and acceptable standards of behavior.

Local, County, and State Agencies

Local agencies are city or town police departments that provide a wide assortment of services to a small geographic area and are supported almost exclusively by taxes collected within that area. There are still a few local marshals and sheriffs scattered across the country, and their function is exactly the same as that of a local police officer. These departments vary in size based upon population and upon the need for services as perceived by that population. In some locales townships are formed, which are, in essence, a collection of two or more towns. These communities combine their collective municipal resources, and the local law enforcement department covers both communities.

In the United Kingdom, there is one national police force controlled by a central authority. The framers of the U.S. Constitution were clear in their intent not to have a strong central government, which is why local police agencies are controlled locally rather than nationally.

Sheriff's departments represent and serve the constituency of the county. Since this particular type of office dates back to before the founding of the United States, the sheriff is almost always the one law enforcement officer that is specifically mentioned in the state constitution. Sheriffs are usually elected officials who answer not only to the laws of the state, but also to the electorate directly. The office of sheriff is where fair and equitable enforcement of the law becomes one of the cornerstones of re-election and longevity in office. It also represents the only real direct voice the people have in law enforcement.

Agencies that serve an entire state are usually plentiful and diverse. Whether they are state police officers or highway patrolmen, narcotics officers, game wardens, fire marshals, health officers, or tax and revenue enforcers, each state has a certain contingent of law enforcement officials that serve the entire constituency. These agencies tend to be highly compartmentalized and specialize in enforcing a limited area of law.

Federal Agencies

Certainly the titan when it comes to the different branches of agencies, the federal government offers dozens upon dozens of different law enforcement opportunities. Although local police officers combined still theoretically outnumber those serving federally, there are many opportunities for service at the national level that have no counterpart at the local level.

Some federal agencies extend their reach beyond the borders of the United States, conducting activities abroad. Although chartered only for domestic enforcement, the electronic age has permitted a large contingent of culprits to perpetrate crimes against America while resting comfortably in remote places around the world, prompting federal officials to work hand-in-hand with the authorities of other nations. Some of the agencies that engage internationally are the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Postal Inspector. These agencies now carry on much of their work far from American shores.

In addition to the domestic agencies providing enforcement of laws and regulations, each branch of the military has a significant law enforcement element that is staffed not only with active- and reserve-duty military personnel, but civilian hires as well. The military police are uniformed members of the armed forces known for enforcing civil laws and regulations with military personnel, while simultaneously providing security services for military installations. Military installations are facilities that are directly owned and operated by a branch of the military, ranging in size from small outposts all over the globe to large bases that contain as many people as a city. But there are plenty of military posts, both at home and abroad, where security and law enforcement are provided by non-military police officers. These private contractors are responsible to the appropriate military command and focus all of their attention toward the specific installation concerned.

To summarize, by now you should understand that pluralism is the essence of law enforcement; that there are awesome responsibilities and liabilities (both civil and criminal) that come with the job; that living within the law is the best way to enforce it; that an ever-changing standard of care, that is often completely arbitrary, is a major controlling element in the field; and that politics are fundamental to a law enforcement career. You should also know law enforcement is all around you, as evidenced by the sheer number of agencies and agents that are in close proximity to you every day.