Have you ever watched crime dramas and wondered what agencies were handling the investigation?
It seems like there's always a jumble of letters with no explanation of what the agency actually does.
United States Military
The military has 6 branches that protect the country's borders and interests.
Defends against land, sea, space, air, and water based threats
Headquarters in the US, with many bases stationed around the world
Collects data to support national defense missions
Does not investigate or make arrests
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
An intelligence agency that focuses on collecting, analyzing, evaluating data and information
Passes information on to the appropriate parties such as the FBI or military
Collects information from international sources regarding matters of national security
Does nothave the authority to makearrests
Collects information to aid agencies who make arrests
Federal Bureau Of Investigations (FBI)
A security and intelligence service that aims to protect the USA from domestic threats.
Has the authority to make arrests and press charges against individuals
Investigates crimes committed on the federal level
Sometimes works with local police to help solves crimes together
Police
Law enforcement officers that protect and defend, usually at the local level.
Can only work within their specified county
Able to make arrests
Have jurisdictions (or borders) that they are allowed to work within
State troopers are allowed to work within an entire state's borders
Quiz
Allen is a uniformed officer. He routinely patrols the counties of Ballard and Colleton. Is Allen a county police officer or a State Trooper?
Military police office
County police officer
State Trooper
FBI agent
A Quick Guide
Quiz
Marianne works for the federal government. She helps collect data and information to investigate criminals who have committed federal offences. She does not make arrests. Who does Marianne work for?
FBI
Military
CIA
Police
Summary
The next time you're watching a crime movie or TV show - challenge yourself to identify which agencies you are seeing on screen.
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This Byte has been authored by
Sharnice Yates
Instructional Designer | Special Educator