This chapter discusses the roles and functions of police in the United States. It describes the historical origins of policing from the London Metropolitan Police and how early American police were modeled after this. There are now thousands of police agencies across the US with jurisdiction at the federal, state, and local levels. The chapter outlines the major federal and state law enforcement agencies and explains the hiring and training process officers undergo. It also discusses factors like community policing strategies that influence modern policing approaches.

1. Chapter 4: Roles and Functions of the Police