A law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for enforcing the law. These agencies have the power to investigate, apprehend, and detain individuals suspected of criminal offenses. There are three main types of law enforcement agencies: local, state, and federal. Local law enforcement agencies include police and sheriff departments, while state agencies include the state or highway patrol. Federal agencies include the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service.
In the United States, the term "law enforcement agency" is often used to refer to police agencies, but it also includes agencies with peace officer status or agencies which prosecute criminal acts. Many law enforcement agencies are police agencies that have a broad range of powers and responsibilities, including social order and public safety.
Some examples of law enforcement agencies in the United States include the Pennsylvania State Police, which provides services and assistance to law enforcement agencies throughout the Commonwealth, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is the largest federal law enforcement agency and employs almost 47,000 full-time officers.
