What type of cops are there

Primary duties: Detectives examine crime scenes to gather information for an investigation. They collect physical evidence, interview suspects and witnesses, search records in databases and analyze findings to display them in court.

Detectives can also outline the chronological events of a crime during proceedings. Read more: Learn About Being a Detective. Primary duties: Police officers have general law enforcement responsibilities, such as patrolling areas and responding to emergency calls.

They also direct traffic and administer first aid. Other responsibilities include investigating potential crimes, apprehending suspects and completing written reports on events. They are mostly assigned to specific areas in a community in which they familiarize themselves with the area and build a good relationship with the residents.

Primary duties: Border patrol agents secure international land and water borders. They patrol these borders, check that people entering the country have proper documentation and direct immigrants to the proper authorities for processing.

These agents could monitor specific checkpoints or patrol large spans of land or water. Primary duties: Crime scene investigators, also known as forensic scientists, critically and analytically search for evidence, which they gather and document to conduct laboratory tests.

After processing the evidence, they protect it against tampering or theft. They also appear in court as professional witnesses for cases they worked on. Primary duties: Resource officers are school safety agents that protect students and teachers in schools.

They closely work with school administrators to develop safety strategies and ensure a habitable environment for staff and learners. They conduct investigations on any potential criminal activity in and around a learning institution.

School resource officers also perform internal dispute mediation. Find jobs. A chief of police is not elected. Police officers may enforce state criminal and traffic laws and local ordinances adopted within their jurisdiction. Police serve arrest warrants and as bailiff for the municipal court. Police are not required to keep a jail but may operate a municipal jail for housing misdemeanor violators or detainees awaiting transfer to the county jail.

Police officers do not have responsibility for transporting prisoners, serving civil process, rounding up estrays or conducting many of the other duties designated to sheriffs. Constables are also peace officers whose offices were created by the Texas Constitution.

They are elected to office once every four years. A county may have multiple constables but only one per precinct. Real Stories. Changing Careers? Military Veteran? Contact Us. State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies There are more than 17, state and local law enforcement agencies in the United States, ranging in size from one officer to more than 30, Callie Malvik This piece of ad content was created by Rasmussen University to support its educational programs.

Rasmussen University may not prepare students for all positions featured within this content. Please visit www. External links provided on rasmussen. Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U. Department of Education. Uniformed officers When it comes to general law enforcement duties such as maintaining regular patrols and responding to emergency calls, uniformed police officers are likely the ones behind the wheel.

Detectives Police detectives are active at crime scenes and spend their time investigating the scene to piece together what happened. Fish and game wardens Sometimes overlooked in the world of law enforcement, fish and game wardens are the law enforcement professionals tasked with enforcing the rules and regulations designed to protect wildlife.

Transit and railroad officers Transit and railroad officers are probably not top-of-mind for most when it comes to law enforcement jobs. Special jurisdiction police Certain police agencies are dedicated to special geographic jurisdictions and enforcement responsibilities. Air marshals Federal air marshals hold a unique role within law enforcement. Border patrol agents While you might imagine border patrol agents following tracks in rural areas or performing routine customs checks at the border or the airport, they can work in many other capacities as well.

Crime scene investigator Crime scene investigators, sometimes called forensic technicians or forensic scientists, are the law enforcement professionals who scour crime scenes for evidence, gathering and documenting what they find. Is a career in law enforcement in your future? Request More Information. Talk with an admissions advisor today. First Name Please enter your first name. Last Name Please enter your last name. Contact Information Email Address Please enter your email address.