If you think being a police officer is the only option in law enforcement, it’s time to reconsider. There are various law enforcement agencies, including local and state police, highway patrol, special jurisdiction police, and deputy sheriffs. Each agency has numerous positions available, such as uniformed, plain-clothed, front-end, and support roles, for those interested in law enforcement jobs. This article explores various law enforcement types, jobs, and agencies. Read on to learn more:

Law enforcement types
Law enforcement collectively refers to multiple agencies that protect citizens, maintain peace, and enforce law throughout the country. They are categorized by jurisdiction, like federal, state, county, local cities, and town law enforcement. Federal law enforcement is responsible for the whole country and is overseen by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. State law enforcement includes the State Bureau of Investigation, state troopers, and highway patrol. While sheriff departments work at the county level, police departments work in cities and municipalities.

Federal law enforcement agencies
Maintaining law and order and all aspects pertaining to national security are the responsibilities of federal law enforcement agencies. Customs and Border Protection is the largest agency among them. These agencies collaborate to investigate, capture and detain individuals who have committed crimes. Some of the significant agencies in this regard are:

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Department of Homeland Security
Federal Bureau of Investigation
INTERPOL Washington
Marshals Services (USMS)
Central Intelligence Agency
Coast Guard Investigative Service
Federal Protective Service
Air Force Office of Special Investigations

Important law enforcement services
Law enforcement agencies cooperate and coordinate with each other to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals. Their primary services include:

Border patrol and surveillance
Community policing
Crime analysis
Crime prevention
Crisis negotiation
Emergency response
Maintenance of public order
Prosecution support
Search, seizure, arrest, and detainment
Traffic enforcement
Victim assistance

Types of law enforcement jobs
The eligibility criteria for law enforcement jobs differ based on the job type, the position’s seniority, and jurisdiction. You will have to clear a written examination and interview for most of the jobs in law enforcement. If you are interested in law enforcement jobs, look into the different opportunities in the core and support agencies. The main types of law enforcement jobs include:

Uniformed police officer jobs
Some of the uniformed police officer jobs are:
Police office
State trooper
Border patrol agent
Airport and school police officer
Game wardens
Park rangers

Plainclothes officer
Some of the plainclothes offices jobs are:
Detectives
Immigration inspection
FBI and CIA agents
Secret service agent
Air Marshall
Criminal investigator

Support positions
Some of the support positions are:
Investigative assistant
Fingerprint technical
Handwriting examiner
Firearms specialist
Police records specialists
Forensic accountant
Intelligence analyst
Cybercrime detective
Appliance scientist

Legal jobs
Some of the common legal jobs are:
Public defense attorney
Prosecutor
Magistrate
Judge
Judicial clerk
Paralegal

Law enforcement training
If you meet the basic eligibility requirements, you should pass the background check process, clear the written examination, and medical and psychological evaluation. You should complete a two or four-year degree from a Peace Officer Standing and Training certified college or complete training from a government-approved police academy. You can find such academies across the country offering different training levels. You undergo physical and fitness training and also learn about topics like:

Criminal, Constitutional, and Federal Law
Arrest techniques
Defensive tactics
Safety and survival
Firearms
VIP protection
Terrorism
Driver training