Different Types of Law Enforcement

Law enforcement professionals play a vital role in keeping our communities safe. There are several different types of law enforcement with different jurisdictions and duties. This includes military law enforcement, county and city law enforcement, state law enforcement and federal law enforcement.

Military Law Enforcement

Military law enforcement professionals are often known as military police (MP's). Their job is to enforce the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) among the members of the military. They are also in charge of keeping order on military bases and have jurisdiction over crimes that happen on base.

County and City Law Enforcement

County and city law enforcement have jurisdiction only over their particular county or city. Their job is to enforce the both local and state laws and protect the citizens of their jurisdiction. County and city law enforcement officers investigate crimes that happen in their jurisdictions. County and city police officers often work as traffic officers.

State Law Enforcement

State law enforcement officers have jurisdiction over their entire state. One of their responsibilities is patrolling state highways, looking for speeders and other people breaking the law. They also investigate and respond to calls about car accidents. State law enforcement officers also perform criminal investigations and may assist local police forces in their investigations if they become too complicated. 

Federal Law Enforcement

Federal law enforcement officers normally investigate more complex crimes. They investigate crimes that cross state lines, as well as conspiracy and drug trafficking. The most well known federal law enforcement organization in the United States is the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).