Chapter 3

Flashcards covering law enforcement agencies, their organization at federal, state, and local levels, key organizational theories, and the differences between public and private policing, based on the provided lecture notes.

September 11, 2001

An event that drastically changed the organization of the federal law enforcement apparatus, leading to significant government restructuring.

Homeland Security Act of 2002

Legislation that created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

A cabinet-level department, activated in January 2003, with the mission to prevent terrorist attacks, reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize/recover from attacks.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

An agency established by combining elements of the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs Service, U.S. Immigration, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to fight terrorism and control/protect America’s borders.

Visa

Official authorization allowing a person to travel to and within the issuing country.

U.S. Border Patrol

A component of CBP that patrols the borders and ports for illegal entry, making it one of the largest uniformed law enforcement agencies in the United States.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

An agency focused on investigation and illegal immigration, enforcing the nation's immigration and customs laws.

Human trafficking

Illegally transporting a person from one country to another for the purpose of forced labor or sexual exploitation.

Infrastructure

Services and facilities that support day-to-day needs of modern life, such as electricity, food, transportation, and water.

U.S. Secret Service

An agency created in 1865 to combat currency counterfeiters, later given the responsibility in 1901 to protect the president, the president's family, the vice president, and former presidents.

U.S. Attorney General

The head of the Department of Justice, appointed by the President and approved by the Senate.

Department of Justice (DOJ)

The official legal arm of the U.S. government, including law enforcement agencies that investigate violations of federal laws.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Created in 1908 as the Bureau of Investigation, it is the investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Justice, with a primary mission to protect the U.S. against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats.

Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)

A computerized forensic database of DNA profiles of offenders convicted of serious crimes, operated by the FBI.

Legats

Legal attaché offices operated by the FBI in major cities around the world, housed in U.S. embassies.

U.S. Marshals Service (USMS)

America’s oldest law enforcement agency, established under the Judiciary Act of 1789, responsible for judicial security, fugitive investigation, and apprehension.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)

A Justice Department agency that enforces federal laws relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives, and arson, also serving as a tax-collection and regulatory arm.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

An agency with primary responsibility for enforcing the nation’s laws and regulations regarding drugs, narcotics, and other controlled substances, sharing jurisdiction with the FBI.

INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization)

A worldwide organization established in 1923 for the development of cooperation among nations regarding common police problems and issues, serving as an informational clearinghouse.

Centralized policing model (state)

A state police agency model where state police assist local law enforcement, operate identification bureaus, maintain criminal records, patrol highways, and provide training for municipal/county officers.

Decentralized policing model (state)

A state police agency model that draws a clear distinction between traffic enforcement on state highways and other state-level law enforcement functions, often through separate agencies or divisions.

Municipal Police

Police forces created by incorporated municipalities, with jurisdiction typically limited to the geographic boundaries of their communities.

Sheriff’s Departments

County-level agencies, usually headed by an elected official, responsible for law enforcement throughout counties, serving court papers, maintaining courtroom security, and running county jails.

Organization (definition)

A consciously coordinated social entity, with a relatively identifiable boundary, that functions on a relatively continuous basis to achieve a common goal or set of goals.

Quasi-military organization (police)

The historical structure of police departments, resembling military organizations with a hierarchical structure, chain of command, and unity of command, as recommended by Sir Robert Peel.

Chain of command

Establishes definitive lines of authority and channels of communication within an agency, defining the supervisor-employee relationship where each individual reports to a single boss.

Span of control

Refers to the number of subordinates supervised by one person, ideally kept limited (e.g., 6 to 10 officers per supervisor) for effective supervision.

Unity of command

A principle where each individual in the organization is directly accountable to only one supervisor.

Sworn Members

Police employees given traditional police powers by state and local laws.

Non-Sworn Members (Civilian employees)

Employees without traditional police powers, generally assigned to non-critical or non-enforcement tasks.

Civilianization

The process of removing sworn police officers from non-critical or non-enforcement tasks and replacing them with civilian or non-sworn employees.

Line personnel

Sworn personnel, consisting of all commissioned peace officers within the organization, who directly accomplish the goals of a department.

Staff personnel

Nonsworn personnel who assist line officials and support the line organization (e.g., in administrative services like recruitment or training).

Frederick W. Taylor

A classical organization theorist who studied organizations to improve worker productivity and ushered in an era of scientific management.

Max Weber

A classical organization theorist who identified five principles characteristic of an effective bureaucratic organization, including a well-defined hierarchy, specialization, and formalization.

Participatory management

A contemporary management concept allowing subordinates to participate in decision-making and planning, especially regarding their own units.

Contingency theory

A contemporary organizational theory that recognizes different types of tasks within an organization, suggesting organizational strategies should be contingent on the tasks at hand (e.g., standardization for repetitive tasks, flexibility for non-repetitive).

Systems perspective (organizations)

A contemporary organizational theory rooted in biology, viewing organizations as living organisms that strive for equilibrium and are affected by their environment, often considered 'open systems'.

Private security

The industry that provides for-profit security products and services, including guards, equipment, and investigation or consulting services.

Private policing

The acquisition and use of private security products and services, as well as the application of specialized knowledge in crime control, investigation, and risk management.