Law enforcement is a field involving such duties as detecting, preventing and investigating crimes and violations of laws, arresting violators of the law, maintaining the peace, preserving life and property, and enforcing traffic regulations on the city, county, state or federal level.

On the federal level, there are law enforcement opportunities on the executive, legislative and the judicial branch. Law enforcement employees work in every department of the executive branch, e.g. Department of Defense, Department of Labor, Department of the Treasury. In the Legislative branch they hold positions in the Library of Congress, the Office of Special Investigations, Security & Support Services and the U.S. Capitol. They also serve the federal court systems. Law enforcement on the state, county or city level also includes positions in various departments in the executive, the legislative and the judicial branches. Some law enforcement employees work in independent agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Protective Services (FPS), the Public Safety Service, (PSS) and the Postal Inspection Service (PIS).

National Association of Police Organizations, Inc.
750 First Street, N.E., Suite 920
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone #: (202) 842-4420

The National Drug Enforcement Officers Association (NDEOA)
2020 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20006
Phone #: (202) 298-9653

International Police Association
1203 Edgewood Road
Redwood City, CA 94062

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has a unique opportunity to deter violent crime because of its varied jurisdictions. ATF special agents investigate violations of Federal explosives laws, including most bombings and many arson-for-profit schemes affecting interstate commerce. ATF also investigates violations of Federal firearms laws in an effort to prevent illicit trafficking, illegal possession and criminal use of firearms. Other ATF responsibilities are to investigate violations of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, illicit liquor violations of Federal magnitude and interstate smugglers of no-tax-paid cigarettes.

The CIA, an agency of the Executive office of the President of the United States, was created in 1947. The CIA is America's first permanent peace time intelligence agency responsible for keeping the government informed of foreign actions affecting the nation's interests. Activities of the CIA are many and varied. Clandestine collection of vital information that cannot be obtained by any overt means requires recruiting agents who can obtain the needed intelligence without detection. Intelligence reports from all sources are reviewed by analysts who produce studies ranging from basic surveys to estimates of future developments. The CIA is also responsible for counterespionage activities. Its mission is to prevent the placement of foreign agents in sensitive U.S. agencies. Domestically this work is handled in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

DEA Special Agents conduct criminal investigations and prepare for the prosecution of major violators of the drug laws of the United States. They may prepare reports that are used in criminal proceedings, give testimony in court, and develop evidence that justifies the seizure of financial assets gained from illegal activity. Senior Special Agents may volunteer for overseas assignments.

FBI special agents investigate violations of Federal Laws in connection with bank robberies, theft of Government property, organized crime, espionage, sabotage, kidnapping, and terrorism. Agents with specialized training usually work on cases related to their background. For example, agents with an accounting background may investigate white-collar crimes such as bank embezzlements or fraudulent bankruptcies and land deals. Frequently, agents must testify in court about cases that they investigate.

Uniformed Division officers provide security at the White House, the Vice-President’s residence, buildings in which Presidential officers are located, the U.S. Treasury Building and the Treasury Annex, foreign diplomatic missions in the Washington, D.C. area, and foreign diplomatic establishments in other parts of the U.S. Officers carry out their protective responsibilities through a network of foot patrols, vehicular patrols, and fixed posts. They provide additional assistance to the overall Secret Service protective mission through special support programs such as the canine, magnetometer, and countersniper units.

Immigration and Naturalization Officers work under the guide of the Federal Government Law Enforcement and are responsible for the laws pertaining to persons of non-citizen status entering or remaining within the United States illegally. It is highly diversified work, with many site locations around the U.S.

Internal Revenue Service Special Agents are government Law Enforcement employees who collect evidence against individuals and companies that are evading the payment of Federal Taxes. These Special Agents are also highly trained in all aspects of Federal tax laws and will testify in Federal Court against offenders on behalf of the U.S. Government.

The Secret Service today is basically a two-fold federal law enforcement operation. One is the investigative mission and the other is the protective mission. Because of the magnitude of its responsibilities, the Secret Service relies heavily on the support of the outside organizations and individuals. State, county and local law enforcement organizations are partners of the Service in every phase of its investigative and protective operations. The Secret Service maintains a continual vigilance in suppressing the counterfeiting of currency and securities of the United States and of Foreign governments. It is also responsible for investigating the fraud and forgery of U.S. checks, bonds, and other obligations. The protective mission of the Secret Service is multi-faceted, encompassing the security and protection of the President, Vice-President, President-Elect, their families, former presidents, visiting heads of foreign states or governments and their families, and many more. The Service also includes an uniformed division spread throughout the U.S. All men and women assigned to the Secret Service today are a highly select group of people who have received a high level of specialized training.

Customs Officers serve as the primary contact with Customs brokers importers, and carriers on matters regarding all processing functions related to importation of merchandise. They advise importers and brokers on all phases of Customs and other agencies’ actions related to import and export trade. They advise on the proper entry and bond requirements, documentation and certification needed, and procedures pertaining to the filing of protests, claims and requests for reliquidation. Entry Officers explain and interpret legal procedural rulings, provide information on embargoed, restricted and quota types of merchandise and clarifies rights of importers/brokers under the Tariff Act, Treasury and Court Decisions, Public Laws, Custom Regulations, and Internal Revenue Codes. Entry Officers work at ports of entry located at international airports, district and field locations.

Created in 1791 by George Washington, the U.S. Park Police have been on duty in our Federal parks for over 200 years. Each officer of the U.S. Park Police is charged with the responsibility of providing law enforcement services, which includes the investigation and detention of persons suspected of committing offenses against the United States. Additionally, law enforcement services are provided for the many notable civic events conducted within the National Park areas.

Postal inspectors investigate criminal and civil violations of postal laws and are responsible for the internal audit of the Postal Service. Postal inspectors have jurisdiction in all criminal matters infringing on the integrity and security of U.S. Mail and the U.S. Postal Service. Some phases of the work require that postal inspectors live undercover and associate with known criminals for varying periods of time. Inspectors must relocate according to the needs of the Service.

U.S. Treasury Agents permeate a wide variety of positions within the Federal Government of Law Enforcement. They may focus various divisions of the Government, including, but not limited to, the Secret Service, The Presidential Uniformed Division, Presidential Personal Protection Staff, ATF Agents, Special Agents and other specialty investigative assignments.