Case 1

Bryson Case

Ms. Plemmons

English IV

9 March 17

Details and History Behind Law Enforcement

When most people think about the federal law enforcement agencies, they think first of

the FBI- and with good reason. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the main police agency of

the United States government (Kronenweetter 25). The FBI is one of the four divisions within

the United States law enforcement agency. Among these include: local sheriffs, policemen, and

state troopers. Although these positions require similar training and the ultimate goal is to ensure

the protection of the people of America, there remains differences within the jurisdiction, duties,

salary as well as the various requirements to complete training for certain positions . Law

enforcements history can be traced back centuries ago. Today there are many different levels of

law enforcement from city and county, to state and federal.

Law enforcement has not always been around. Enforcing the law has been in effect in

the earliest civilizations like the Babylonians, Egyptian pharaohs, and Greek city-states. Police

work has changed noticeably from what it was centuries ago, and way back when family,

schools, and church where people could most likely find regularity social behavior. By the 18th

century the growth of crime and serious disorder in cities became unbearable. Likewise no fixed
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system of police ever came up. This led to an unbelievable range in police systems (Police).

As the community grew, these institutions became less of a factor, the police grew necessary

(Police). Policing systems in the early days were modeled after the English structure which

included, Watch, Constables, and Sheriffs in a community based police organization (The Early

Days of American Law Enforcement). A constable was known as a peace officer. As stated

above, the watch was made up of six watchmen who reported fries, maintained order in the

streets, raised the hue and cry(The Early days of American Law Enforcement). The first law

enforcement system in america was established in boston more than 350 years ago. Before

whistles came around Law Enforcement officers would use wooden rattles and that would be the

signal for help. Early law enforcement was reactionary rather than pre-emptive- the watch

usually respond to criminal behavior only when requested by Victims or Witnesses. Eventually

law enforcement changed their design to prevent crime before it happened instead of after, it

improved by introducing new equipment, technology and training.

In the united states alone there are 17,000 state and local law enforcement agencies. The

main reason of the local police is to investigate local crimes and provide patrol. Law

enforcement agencies vary from big federal agencies to small town police departments

(Discover Policing). Any person that might go to jail or is on trial has to be tried in a court of

law, an official police report isn't enough. For there to be a crime there must be a sworn
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affidavit by an injured party and the state cannot be that injured party (The Power of The

Sheriff).

Sheriffs offices main authority by the state is to enforce state law at the local county

level (Discover policing). The word sheriff is a contraction of the term shir reeve,

meaning a royal official responsible for keeping the peace throughout a shire or county on behalf

of the king(s)(The Early Days of Law Enforcement). Sheriff is an elected law enforcer who

has to protect the unalienable rights of the people. Sheriffs are responsible to enforce the

principles within the Preamble of the United States Constitution- that is In order to form a more

perfect Union,establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense,

[and] promote the general welfare (National Liberty Alliance). Similarly, the United States

Marshal protects the rights of the people in the federal courtroom. There is no elected or

appointed official that can remove the sheriff or United States marshal from office (The Power

of the Sheriff). They commonly serve warrants and court summons, as well as run the local

jail. Sheriffs respond to calls for service areas outside local police jurisdiction (Discovering

Police).

A Sheriff or police chief's salary ranges from $96,544 to 108,456 but may vary due to a

variety of factors. Aspiring Sheriffs must attain a Bachelors degree in criminal justice as well as

at least 10 years of law enforcement to be considered for the position as a Sheriff (salary.com)

The men and women or intend on becoming sheriffs must successfully complete a probationary
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period of twelve months. Within the twelve month period, the individuals are required to

complete a Basic Law Enforcement training course and then will be able to assume the role as a

local sheriff. The only exception to this probationary period is if a deputy were to qualify as

lateral transfers would not be required to complete additional training (Minimum Training

Standards).

State troopers have to meet certain requirements in order to qualify as an applicant. An

applicant must have an associate's degree along with no experience, or have a high school

diploma (GED), and have two years of experience either as a full time police officer or two years

of honorable military service. Applicants must undergo a physical agility test held at their

training facility. They must have their medical forms completed within six months of their

assessment. Their physical agility test includes, single bench press, sit-ups (for one minute),

push-ups, and a one a half mile run. These requirements differ based on age (see visual). To

move on to the board interview and background check, applicants must obtain a score of at least

70 percent. All candidates will be subject to unannounced drug tests at any point during the

selection process (State Trooper I Recruitment). Applicants must be a citizen and the age of

21, at least 20/20 vision. They also are prohibited to have tattoos that are clearly visible outside

the areas that are covered by the uniform (State Trooper I Recruitment).

Starting salary for an average state trooper is around 50,000 a year. This varies

depending on the state. A trooper gets an annual 1,300 dollar devised duty pay which ads up to
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25 dollars a week. After a trooper has a total of ten years of full time certified law experience,

they are eligible to trooper upgrade (State Trooper I Recruitment). Benefits include one day

per month for annual leave. Sick days accumulate at one and one quarter (1 ). A state trooper is

entitled to 12 days for holiday leave. Retirement is dealt within the state which provided the

employment (State Trooper I Recruitment).

The FBI started as a small agency until the year of 1933 when new emphasis was put on

law enforcement (see illustration). The FBI stands for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.It is

believed that people who apply for the FBI have to be really smart, really fit, and have a clean

background, and also hold a four year college degree (Kronenwetter 41). The purpose of the

FBI is to watch criminal activity, look into matters that the federal government has interest in to

help the Executive branch with info on criminal activity (Kronenwetter 38). The FBI has the

most authoritative jurisdiction such that they must oversee all duties of fellow state cops. The

FBI also supervise crimes such as,kidnapping, terrorism, transportation of stolen goods, hate

crimes, and racial discrimination (Kronenwetter 44). The FBI also has to enforce 271 different

federal laws (Kronenwetter 39).

Law enforcement personnel remains an active force that continues to provide aid as well

as ensure protection within todays society. Sheriffs, local policemen, State Troopers, and The

Federal Bureau Agency are the groups of todays men and women whom the United States

confide in and honor for their role in Americas security. As communities develop so must the
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organization of all the divisions in law enforcement in order to uphold the system and best be

prepared for future generations.

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Visual 1: (State Trooper I Recruitment)

("Seal & Motto.")

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Works Cited

"Discover Policing." Types of Police / Law Enforcement Agencies - Discover Policing. N.p., n.d.

Web. 17 Feb. 2017.

"Find Free Legal Help and Information about Your Legal Rights from Nonprofit Legal Aid

Providers in Your State." LawHelp.org | Find Free Legal Help and Information about

Your Legal Rights from Nonprofit Legal Aid Providers in Your State. N.p., n.d. Web. 17

Feb. 2017.

"Important Dates in Law Enforcement History." National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Fund: Important Dates in Law Enforcement History. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2017.

Kronenwetter, Michael. The FBI and Law Enforcement Agencies of the United States.

Springfield, NJ: Enslow, 1997. Print.

"Law Enforcement." Biography.com. A&E Networks Television, 01 Apr. 2014. Web. 09 Mar.

2017.

"Minimum Training Standards: Deputy Sheriffs." Minimum Training Standards: Deputy

Sheriffs. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2017.

"Police." Britannica. NC Wise Owl, n.d. Web.

Salary.com, Site Built By:. "Sheriff/Police Chief Salaries." Sheriff/Police Chief Salaries by

Education, Experience, Location and More - Salary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2017.

"Seal & Motto." FBI. FBI, 03 May 2016. Web. 31 Mar. 2017.

"State Trooper I Recruitment, Recruitment and Training, Support Services - Division of State

Police, NH DOS." State Trooper I Recruitment, Recruitment and Training, Support

Services - Division of State Police, NH DOS. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2017.
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"The Early Days of American Law Enforcement." The Early Days of American Law

Enforcement. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2017.

"The Power of the Sheriff." The Power of the Sheriff | National Liberty Alliance. N.p., n.d. Web.

09 Mar. 2017.

Trometer, Jennifer. Email interview. 27 February 2017.