What are the three levels of law enforcement authority?

The three levels of law enforcement authority are best understood as Local, State, and Federal. This framework highlights the different jurisdictions and scopes of authority that law enforcement agencies operate within.

Local law enforcement is typically focused on community safety and enforcement of laws within a specific municipality or county. They handle issues like traffic violations, local crime, and community relations.

State law enforcement agencies, such as state police or highway patrol, operate across broader geographic areas, often enforcing state laws and regulations. They may also assist local agencies with resources and expertise.

Federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, DEA, or ATF, have authority that spans across the entire country and often deal with issues that cross state lines or have national implications, such as organized crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism.

The other options provided do not accurately represent the hierarchy of law enforcement authority. Operational, Tactical, and Strategic refer to levels of planning and execution within law enforcement operations but do not describe the distinct authority levels. Legislative, Judicial, and Executive are branches of government rather than levels of law enforcement. Administrative, Law Enforcement, and Investigative represent types of functions or roles within law enforcement agencies rather than levels of authority.