Introduction
There are many career paths to follow in law enforcement. A brief overview of careers at the federal, state, and local levels is given in this activity.
Federal Agencies: Agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) may investigate crimes such as kidnapping, terrorism, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
State Police Force: Power varies by state. Police officers may have authority throughout the state. Duties include patrolling roads, enforcing state laws, maintaining peace, and assisting municipal law enforcement as needed.
Local Law Enforcement: Authority is limited to the community served. Deputy sheriffs on patrol may have authority in the cities, villages, townships, and rural areas within their county.
