What is the relationship between the us government and policing organizations?

Answer 1

There are two levels of police in the United States: Federal and State. The Federal Level includes organizations like the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration etc. These organizations get their authority from Article 1 section 8 of the U.S. Constitution which ensures Congress' power to regulate taxes and interstate commerce. The FBI for example pursues criminals who have or are likely to cross state and country boundaries. The DEA enforces laws on substances that have a tax ban on them.

The State level has three Sub-levels of police: State Trooper, County Sheriff and Local/City Police. State Troopers, also known as State Police and Highway Patrol, have Jurisdiction (policing authority) across the entire state but mainly patrol areas and projects that are maintained and operated by other State Level agencies, such as the Highways and State Government Buildings. County Sheriffs maintain and operate the county Jails and Patrol the unincorporated areas (areas not within city limits) within a county and provide policing services to Cities who contract the Sheriff's department as local police. Certain Departments, such as San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department in California provide search and rescue services. City/Local police serve cities and patrol within City limits. Every State Policing organization follows the state's Penal Code. County Sheriffs also enforce county mandates. Local Police follow both county mandates and city ordinances. Every state is self-governing over their own land so each is different in regards to their Penal Codes.