Law enforcement agency
Law enforcement agency
A law enforcement agency (pronunciation: /lɔː ɪnˈfɔːsmənt ˈeɪdʒənsi/), also known as a police agency, is a government department or agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.
Etymology
The term "law enforcement agency" is a compound of "law", from Old English lagu meaning "something laid down or fixed", "enforcement", from the late Middle English enforcen, and "agency", from the Medieval Latin agentia, from Latin agens, agentis, the present participle of agere to do.
Definition
A law enforcement agency is a government organization that maintains the peace and order of a state by enforcing laws, preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal activities. These agencies are typically part of the executive branch of government.
Related terms
- Police: A body of government officials trained in methods of law enforcement and crime prevention and detection.
- Criminal justice: The system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, and sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts.
- Public safety: The welfare and protection of the general public, usually expressed as a governmental responsibility.
- Law enforcement officer: An individual who is tasked with the enforcement of laws, typically within a law enforcement agency.
See also
- List of law enforcement agencies
- Law enforcement in the United States
- Law enforcement in the United Kingdom
- Law enforcement in Canada
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Law enforcement agency
- Wikipedia's article - Law enforcement agency
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