The ability to effectively provide adequate security and assure the citizens of their safety has remained a challenge for security organs for decades and has not been achieved to date. Historical facts, weak international legislations, inability to regulate our borders, thriving illegal drug business and a myriad of challenges still demonstrate our inability to appropriately assure the citizens of their safety. The central theme dominating this essay is the analysis of the role of each branch and level of law enforcement agency and specific tasks and goals assigned to them. These agencies will include the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Federal Law Enforcement Agency, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, State Police, and Sheriff’s Office. In addition to the above, the role of the Federal Government in protecting our borders and assuring us of our safety will also be highlighted.
The Roles of Various Security Organs
Whereas most of these security agencies’ tasks and responsibilities override one another, there are specific tasks assigned to every department and goals to be realized. The collective efforts of these departments can protect the homeland. According to Green & Fischer (2004), “the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a cabinet department of the United States federal government with the primary responsibilities of protecting the territory of the U.S. from terrorist attacks and responding to natural disasters.” As opposed to the department of defense that takes up military roles, the department of homeland security takes up civilian roles in protecting the homeland within and outside its borders. “Its stated goal is to prepare for, prevent, and respond to domestic emergencies, particularly terrorism” (Green & Fischer, 2004).
Established by an act of June 22, 1870, the department of justice is charged with several responsibilities. These include serving as counsel to its citizens and legally representing the American citizens in enforcing the law in the public interest. This role is expounded by Longley (2008) in stating that
Through its thousands of lawyers, investigators, and agents, the Department plays the key role in protection against criminals and subversion, in ensuring healthy competition of business in our free enterprise system, in safeguarding the consumer, and in enforcing drug, immigration, and naturalization laws.
On the other hand, the Federal Law Enforcement Agency is charged with the responsibility of enforcing applicable and relevant laws aimed at protecting the nation from criminals and crime-related activities. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center “serves as an interagency law enforcement training organization for 86 United States Government Federal Law Enforcement agencies” (Green & Fischer, 2004) while the State Police is to maintain law and order within the precincts of the state. Last, the Sherriff’s office takes up “law enforcement responsibilities that include serving summonses, enforcing writs, warrants, and orders issued by the courts” (Green & Fischer, 2004).
The role of the Federal Government
Whereas these security organs play critical roles in safeguarding our borders and securing our citizens, they must rely on the federal to articulate workable policies, provide financial and technical services aimed at supporting the security-related efforts and draft debate, and pass laws that are capable of securing the safety of our nation. In addition to the above, the Federal government takes up an active role in training and capacity building of our various security personnel intending to equip their capacity to discharge their duties professionally.
References
Green, G. and Fischer, R.J. (2004). Introduction to security. Washington: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Longley, R. (2008). About the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Web.