Law Enforcement Agency (LEA)

Doc's CJ Glossary by Adam J. McKee
Course: Introduction / Policing

A Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) is an organization that is responsible for enforcing the law and maintaining public safety.


These agencies are typically established by governments at the local, state, or national level and are responsible for investigating and preventing crime, apprehending criminals, and enforcing laws and regulations.

Some examples of Law Enforcement Agencies include:

      1. Police departments: These agencies are responsible for enforcing local and state laws, preventing crime, and responding to emergencies.
      2. Sheriff’s offices: These agencies are responsible for enforcing local and state laws in areas that do not have a police department, such as rural areas.
      3. Federal agencies: These agencies are responsible for enforcing federal laws, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
      4. Border patrol agencies: These agencies are responsible for protecting the country’s borders and enforcing immigration laws, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
      5. State troopers: These agencies enforce state laws on highways and other state-owned properties.

Law Enforcement Agencies are given the authority to enforce laws and investigate crimes through the power of the government. These agencies are typically organized into different divisions or units, such as patrol, investigations, and specialized units, such as SWAT teams, bomb squads, and cybercrime units.


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Last Modified: 03/09/2023

 

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