Why are there so many different types of law enforcement agencies in the United States? What problems, if any, do you think are created by such a diversity of agencies?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The complexity of law enforcement reflects the complex democratic system in the United States. The fear of strong centralized power by the founding fathers resulted in states and ultimately municipalities having considerable power. In addition, the vast diversity that is the United States, from its densely populated urban centers to its rural settings, called for the creation of many different types of law enforcement models. The structure of policing continues to change, with federal agencies playing an increasingly important role, and because of economic issues, many smaller departments (and sometimes larger ones) are consolidating multiple jurisdictions into a single organization.

American law enforcement professionals, functioning in what some call the most complex organization in the world, are rightfully proud of their performance in accomplishing an extraordinarily difficult task. Their achievements are attributable to the routinely competent performance of mundane, often thankless, and sometimes dangerous duties by a core group of dedicated and courageous men and women. In an environment of high stress, swirling emotions, and ever-changing legal, tactical, and administrative rules, they protect us with selflessness and commitment of the highest order. But it is an undeniable reality that the complex organization in which they, on the whole, perform so admirably can also be a confusing miasma of jurisdictional disputes, competition for limited funding, political maneuvering and manipulation, stifling personal and organizational ego contests, impenetrable bureaucracy, administrative inertia, and duplicated effort resulting in extraordinary inefficiency. Hence, some suggest that a unified national police force, which would take the place of existing multilevel agencies, would solve many of the problems that exist in American policing today.