US Police Jurisdiction

[Handsup!]

After much googling, I still can't find an answer.

 

Do:

City police

County Sheriffs

State police

etc

 

Have jurisdiction outside of their primary areas? Not as in that's where they should patrol, but do, for example, LAPD officers have powers of off-duty arrest outside of LA?

[sls_16]

In the State of California,All three are peace officers and are authorized under the California penal code with identical police powers anywhere in California.

A Los Angeles Police Officer (LAPD) works for the City of Los Angeles. The LAPD is an independent police agency specifically within the City of Los Angeles.

Yes. California Peace officers have police powers throughout the state of California. The California Highway Patrol generally patrols freeways, any deputy sheriff or city police officer can cite or arrest for a violation.

[EmergencyFan97]

Not here--South Carolina. For instance, in my county, there are 6 major law enforcing agencies. Three of them are municipal, one is county, and two are state. You have:

North Augusta Public Safety

Burnettown Police Department

Aiken Public Safety

These three are municipal agencies. They have jurisdiction only within the city limits of their respective municipalities. Then you have the Aiken County Sheriff's Office. They have jurisdiction throughout the entire county. As a general rule, however, ACSO only polices the unincorporated areas of the county--it'd be overkill if they policed Burnettown, Aiken, and North Augusta as well.

And then you have:

South Carolina Highway Patrol

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

They are the state agencies. SCHP patrols the interstate and highways, as well as responding to all motor vehicle collisions in the unincorporated county, as well as all incidents involving an emergency vehicle. DNR patrols the boat ramps and major hunting areas of the county, enforcing wildlife and boating laws. All DNR officers have full policing abilities, however.

As SCHP and DNR are state agencies, they have jurisdiction throughout the entire state.

[gizmo719]

Colorado is different from California however, for Example in Colorado Springs (CSPD) stays in city limits unless for mutual aid. Unincorporated El Paso County is ran by the sheriff (EPSO) but can assit in the city, however ts rare. Colorado State Patrol (CSP) does State highways and the Interstate

[Newfoundking]

To answer your question, yes and no. 

 

In the US, it generally allows police officers with some exceptions to continue pursuit, etc. on duty or off duty outside of their regular jurisdictions. ie NYPD officers wouldn't stop on the bridge leaving the city if they were pursuing a murderer, because he left city limits, nor would LAPD say,welp, he's in the county now, so we can't touch him, drats. 

 

Your question seems to be more geared towards can an off duty officer arrest you, outside of their regular jurisdiction. The short answer is yes. However, that doesn't mean they're running ops in other jurisdictions, or whatever, it just means they can still arrest you. To operate within a different jurisdiction however, they are expected to receive approval from the department in charge. There's a lot of political reasons for this I won't bore you with, but essentially they can, and they very well may arrest you, but it's not common to see LAPD officers in San Francisco arresting people, because it's not their job down there. 

[Handsup!]

Thanks everyone for their answers, they really helped.

But say a LAPD officer was on vacation in New York: do they have ANY powers at all? It may help if I refer you to the Civil Nuclear Constabulary here in the UK, who have NO powers at all outside of nuclear power plants and escorts of nuclear material.

[theparanoid]

Thanks everyone for their answers, they really helped.

But say a LAPD officer was on vacation in New York: do they have ANY powers at all? It may help if I refer you to the Civil Nuclear Constabulary here in the UK, who have NO powers at all outside of nuclear power plants and escorts of nuclear material.

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/where-can-officers-arrests.html

[TheHockeydude39]

Thanks everyone for their answers, they really helped.

But say a LAPD officer was on vacation in New York: do they have ANY powers at all? It may help if I refer you to the Civil Nuclear Constabulary here in the UK, who have NO powers at all outside of nuclear power plants and escorts of nuclear material.

 

If the cop witnesses someone get mugged, do you think he would just walk away? He would chase that MFer down and arrest his ass. Even if it was put down in the report as a "Citizens Arrest", he still arrested him. If the cop was only on a short trip, say from LA -> San Fran., Chances are he has his gun and possibly a pair of cuffs on him. He can use both. Cops are given off duty gun permits for concealed carry.

 

I remember a story a year or two ago here in NYC where an off-duty cop held a criminal on the ground at gunpoint until on-duty officers arrived. Now, of course, they ordered him to drop his gun and followed procedure, because you never know. In the UK I don't think you exactly have gun carry issues for your cops but it is always a good Idea for any off duty cop to carry a gun. Never know when the shit will hit the fan.

[Sawdbuster]

Everywhere is completely different in the USA. 

 

Like by me it goes something like this:

 

-Municipal Police: 

   -"Real" Policing

        -Traffic Details

              -In their town and in their counties. 

        -911 calls to houses

        -Town Patrols

        -Mutual Aid

               -If called into another town for assistance their jurisdiction expands

                     -it also expands if they are chasing a fugitive or if they go in under an extreme emergency (officer down, etc.)

        -School Resource

        -K9

              -Can be called as mutual aid to other towns.

       -Motorcycle

       -What you imagine a typical Dept. to do. 

      -Should not be taking police action outside of their town off duty. To avoid this, they will detain people until the town's police shows up and they will conduct all the further police action and the off duty will be a witness. The courts just sort of roll their eyes at this and let it slide. 

        

 

-Sheriff:

    -Jails and Courts

         -Jails: Anybody waiting for a court date or has a sentence under 2.5 years

         -Court Security

         -Inmate Transport

    -Traffic Details.

         -They may not patrol, but they are still classified under Law Enforcement officers, so they can fill traffic details anywhere in their county. 

    -K9

            -Exactly like the municipal K9 except instead of patrolling a town on duty, they patrol a cell block. 

    -Motorcycle

            -They'll have motorcycles for events such as parades and funerals or other things. They do not patrol like a town motorcycle would. 

    -Parole Officers

            -Manage Parolees and what their conditions are

            -Can do random check ups on their parolees

            -Can arrest any parolee if they violate their conditions or the law

            -typically unarmed

    -Forensics

            -Sheriff Dept typically covers Crime Scene and Evidence analyzing for the whole county

    -Will detain and wait for on duty police to show up. They can only detain in most counties anyways if they are on a traffic detail or something. 

 

-University Police:

    -Can range from security guard to fully sworn police officer. 

    -limits in jurisdiction are campus(s)

    -Will detain and wait for on duty police to show up, wherever they may be. If they are not LEOs it will be a citizen's arrest. 

 

-District Attorney's Office:

     -These Laweyers are law enforcement classified as well even though they have no police power, just try and put the bad gus behind bars. They can investigate from the limits of their office. They can review evidence, file warrants, etc. 

     -For the field part, task forces are assigned to each district, comprising of State, Sheriff and Municipal officers. 

 

-Law Enforcement Councils:

     -Municipal and Sheriff Departments can apply and pay to be appart of Law Enforcement Councils

     -They will run an Emergency Team which can be used for search and rescue or deployed for riots (with respective gear)

     -Typically run a SWAT Team, much like the Emergency Team, it will comprise of officers from several depts and once on the team, rank from their original dept does not apply. Team Rank takes over. 

     -Several have bicycle teams

     -Manage Motorcycles and will practice together. 

 

-K9 Councils:

     -All K9s will be a part of the council of whichever district they fall under, this includes all K9s. From bombs, to drugs, to patrol or search and rescue, they are all a part of it. 

     -Will all train together every month. 

 

-State Police:

      -Have statewide jurisdiction, but they are not assigned many places. 

      -Highway Patrol

      -Patrol State Property 

      -Run a Police Academy (they will host one for troopers, but also two other kinds: a reserve academy for auxiliaries (shorter and less academy BS), and a municipal academy which is exactly like the trooper one, the just go back to their respective departments afterwards and not become troopers.)

      -Helicopter

 

      -In rural areas, they will have a trooper or two assigned to patrol. This means one trooper for about 15 small towns, it's horrible. 

      -Many state and metro law enforcement agencies were adsorbed by the state police in the 90s. The state police being the hotshots that they are, are still upset about this.

      -Can make arrests on or off duty anywhere in the state.  

 

-Environmental Police (state): (aka the best damn job in the world)

      -Statewide Jurisdiction 

      -lead investigator for all maritime incidents whether it be crashes or crimes. (They only intervene in someone else's investigation if they have to or are requested, state police and municipal police have maritime divisions too)

      -Set Patrol districts for officers, can contain several parks.  

      -Can make arrests on or off duty anywhere in the state.

 

-Department of Corrections (state):

      -Prison (WOOO FUN)

            -Anybody serving a sentence longer than 2.5 years. 

     -K9 (just like sheriff except state wide)

     -Inmate Transport

     -LOL how's it feel to have no police power outside your cell block? 

             -still classified as LEOs, but much like off duty municipals or deputies, they would detain and wait for on duty police to show.

 

-Federal:

      -F*** you and lets make this situation ten times more difficult for everyone involved. 

 

Thanks to an executive order (think this is true as of now, could be wrong) anybody classified as a Law Enforcement Officer, that is recognized by the federal government as an LEO, can Legally Carry in all 50 US states. Arrests or other police action, is a whole different story.

[TheHockeydude39]

Around here:

State:

Highway

Investigation

Major incident

May patrol in upstate area where there is a lack of police, not sure on that one. (By lack I mean larger areas and less cops per the area)

Sherriff

Prisoner transport....

Uhhh that's about it. They probably could walk into a situation and take charge but never seen that happen

County:

Normal Patrol

Highway (county takes non-state-run highways)

Helicopter (Med-vac and normal PD bird work)

SWAT

Can roll anywhere in County (and out, have seen neighboring counties PD responding to an MVA with DOA. Local PD actually pulled over for them passing lol)

Local

Normal Patrol in town/ city assigned

Will respond to calls of elevated danger (shooting near a mall, for example) with county

Work block parties, town events, crossing guard when the actual ones aren't there, etc.

[Handsup!]

Woah, that's a big reply. Thanks for your time writing that out. :3

The link that theparanoid provided was actually pretty good too; I've now found that officers are basically still officers outside of their jurisdiction but it's called citizen's arrest

[theocd]

Handsup! - You've slightly simplified the jurisdiction of the CNC, they also have powers up to a certain distance (couple of miles?) outside their establishments and, whilst not included in either of the formal Mutual Aid agreements, they can provide mutual aid with negotiation. Due to the majority of their personnel being Authorised Firearms Officers, they are frequently desired elsewhere e.g. G8 Summit and Derrick Bird.

This is a really good thread though, I'd realised we'd moved on from the 70's - "If ya cross the county line, the Sherrif can't get ya!" but its interesting to see the differences

 

The OC-D

[Bugi007]

Interesting subject to discuss. As stated before, it is always stated as its own jurisdiction. LA county sheriff won't respond to calls in the next county, that is unless there isn't any mutual aid agreement. However, I know from my experience when responding to officer down call, jurisdiction doesn't exist. Just every county, state, local and even federal unit in the area arrives. Sometimes you can see that when officer is shot and literally hundreds of cops are there (e.g. two NYPD officers shot, RIP). 

 

Someone said that sheriff does transports only. I don't think it is correct. See LA County Sheriff. They respond to 911 calls and do patrols on daily basis. Some poor counties have only sheriff county and none local PD to help. Usually they do an agreement with the state PD and patrol with them. 

 

US police system is pretty difficult to understand. However, I cannot cross Toronto line. It happened a few times that fellow officers did pursuit out of Toronto limits and were told off. We have internal policy to hand over the pursuit everytime we are about to cross the limit to other agency. Usually Ontario Provincial Police or RCMP but RCMP is rare to see in TO. It's always better, if something happens, it's not our problem anymore. 

 

And do not forget coroner's officer Sawdbuster. They also have law enforcement powers, some even carry a gun! Have also the arrest power and arrest people if crime is commited. It's known that the coroner is the only one who can arrest the county sheriff. In Kentucky he has full peace officer powers. In Georgia executes arrest warrants. It's scary to know how many people have law enforcement status in the US. 

 

http://www.truthandaction.org/local-coroner-receives-military-gear-arms-pentagon/2/

[Handsup!]

Handsup! - You've slightly simplified the jurisdiction of the CNC, they also have powers up to a certain distance (couple of miles?) outside their establishments and, whilst not included in either of the formal Mutual Aid agreements, they can provide mutual aid with negotiation. Due to the majority of their personnel being Authorised Firearms Officers, they are frequently desired elsewhere e.g. G8 Summit and Derrick Bird.

This is a really good thread though, I'd realised we'd moved on from the 70's - "If ya cross the county line, the Sherrif can't get ya!" but its interesting to see the differences

 

The OC-D

 

I did, as I was on my phone, sorry! The distance is 5km but of course they have powers when pursuing off limits. There is a piece of legislation, I think the Energy Act, that states if another Chief Constable, home office force or not, asks the CNC Chief for mutual aid they then automatically adopt that force's powers and jurisdiction. 

 

It is pretty cool to see how states vary their LEAs. Was really awesome to see that some coroners have police powers...

[TheHockeydude39]

Interesting subject to discuss. As stated before, it is always stated as its own jurisdiction. LA county sheriff won't respond to calls in the next county, that is unless there isn't any mutual aid agreement. However, I know from my experience when responding to officer down call, jurisdiction doesn't exist. Just every county, state, local and even federal unit in the area arrives. Sometimes you can see that when officer is shot and literally hundreds of cops are there (e.g. two NYPD officers shot, RIP).

Someone said that sheriff does transports only. I don't think it is correct. See LA County Sheriff. They respond to 911 calls and do patrols on daily basis. Some poor counties have only sheriff county and none local PD to help. Usually they do an agreement with the state PD and patrol with them.

US police system is pretty difficult to understand. However, I cannot cross Toronto line. It happened a few times that fellow officers did pursuit out of Toronto limits and were told off. We have internal policy to hand over the pursuit everytime we are about to cross the limit to other agency. Usually Ontario Provincial Police or RCMP but RCMP is rare to see in TO. It's always better, if something happens, it's not our problem anymore.

And do not forget coroner's officer Sawdbuster. They also have law enforcement powers, some even carry a gun! Have also the arrest power and arrest people if crime is commited. It's known that the coroner is the only one who can arrest the county sheriff. In Kentucky he has full peace officer powers. In Georgia executes arrest warrants. It's scary to know how many people have law enforcement status in the US.

http://www.truthandaction.org/local-coroner-receives-military-gear-arms-pentagon/2/

Your right. It's a complicated system no matter where you are. I am fully aware that sheriffs do normal patrol in many places. I was just saying they we have them seeming just doing transport around here. Even NYC has sheriffs. Not that they patrol.

There are a lot who have policing powers but to many, there power is extremely limited. Example, the T&LC police just do safety checks and write taxis.

[Bugi007]

It is pretty cool to see how states vary their LEAs. Was really awesome to see that some coroners have police powers...

Well, in my opinion USA are becoming the real police state. But it's each person's opinion. Unfortunately Canada is being closer and closer every day. Agencies that absolutely don't need that are getting LE powers and stuff. But it's an off-topic. 

 

Your right. It's a complicated system no matter where you are. I am fully aware that sheriffs do normal patrol in many places. I was just saying they we have them seeming just doing transport around here. Even NYC has sheriffs. Not that they patrol.

There are a lot who have policing powers but to many, there power is extremely limited. Example, the T&LC police just do safety checks and write taxis.

As I said, I think that the USA are becoming the police state. Interesting to see that some states have only a little agencies and are ok and then on the other hand Ohio has the biggest amount of agencies in the US. 

[randomperson139]

Well, in my opinion USA are becoming the real police state. But it's each person's opinion. Unfortunately Canada is being closer and closer every day. Agencies that absolutely don't need that are getting LE powers and stuff. But it's an off-topic. 

It's not too off topic, it is somewhat relevant. So as long as the topic stays civil, feel free to discuss it.

[Handsup!]

It's not too off topic, it is somewhat relevant. So as long as the topic stays civil, feel free to discuss it.

 

Yeah, go ahead guys, I'd love to see a discussion.

[Fred03]

Just throwing out my area's setup.

 

City Police-Have full jurisdiction in city limits for all LEO functions, can assist outside city limits only when requested officially be a LEO with jurisdiction.

Sheriff's Department-Have full jurisdiction throughout the County and are primary LEO response outside city limits.

Highway Patrol-Have full jurisdiction anywhere in the state but mainly stick to the main highways and special operations (drug enforcement, etc) they also respond to rural wrecks.

State Park Rangers-Have same jurisdiction and training as Highway Patrol but stick close to their park areas mostly.

State Conservation Agents- Full state jurisdiction, primarily focus only on wildlife affairs (I think)

National Park Rangers-Jurisdiction depends on the park, in my area they share jurisdiction with the Sheriff but are the primary response, in some parks they are the ONLY ones with Jurisdiction at all.

ATF, FBI, DHS- Jurisdiction anywhere in the United States (I believe)

 

In my county however the Police Departments and the Highway patrol have to pick up a lot of slack from our Sheriff as he is very "good ol boy" and does not believe in much law enforcement.

[Bugi007]

It's not too off topic, it is somewhat relevant. So as long as the topic stays civil, feel free to discuss it.

OK. Thanks.

 

I think that USA are full of LE agencies, some of them are really crappy. At least is not that horrible as it was back in the 90's. However, some of the PDs are still corrupted. I heard a lot about it. One thing is absolutely unbelievable and that is that the USA gives the real policing powers to the local police. I am just kinda sceptical about locals. Small PDs are buying tanks, assault rifles and stuff that just doesn't belong to the police. This is why the USA have the army. Militarization of the police is not a good thing. 

 

Friends told me about some problems going on in local-state police related things. If someone here saw the movie Super Troopers, that's exactly it. I don't think the jurisdiction is so clear and truth is that the police agencies are often mistaken. In my opinion and judging from the Czech Republic and mostly any other EU police system - state police should be the highest. Yes sure, locals can help 'em with enforcing the law as its in the CR. However, local police is not authorized to enforce felonies, misdemeanors only. And I think it's the best system. It just sounds weird to me that local cops have actually bigger powers over the crimes than the state or even federal PD. 

[Handsup!]

OK. Thanks.

 

I think that USA are full of LE agencies, some of them are really crappy. At least is not that horrible as it was back in the 90's. However, some of the PDs are still corrupted. I heard a lot about it. One thing is absolutely unbelievable and that is that the USA gives the real policing powers to the local police. I am just kinda sceptical about locals. Small PDs are buying tanks, assault rifles and stuff that just doesn't belong to the police. This is why the USA have the army. Militarization of the police is not a good thing. 

 

Friends told me about some problems going on in local-state police related things. If someone here saw the movie Super Troopers, that's exactly it. I don't think the jurisdiction is so clear and truth is that the police agencies are often mistaken. In my opinion and judging from the Czech Republic and mostly any other EU police system - state police should be the highest. Yes sure, locals can help 'em with enforcing the law as its in the CR. However, local police is not authorized to enforce felonies, misdemeanors only. And I think it's the best system. It just sounds weird to me that local cops have actually bigger powers over the crimes than the state or even federal PD. 

 

By only enforcing misdemeanors surely you don't mean they don't investigate murders etc? Wouldn't that stretch the more federal of forces and state police thin? I think in rural areas a wide jurisdiction helps. I agree with you that some LEAs are a bit unorganised.

[Newfoundking]

I wanna comment on the nuclear constabulary. They are peace officers not police, so they have limited powers within certain areas

[theocd]

Are you referring to the (British) Civil Nuclear Constabulary? If so, they are full police officers, they are set up as a constabulary under the Energy Act with a Chief Constable and a range of powers. It may be only in relation to certain areas but they are still a police officer, and can be granted full police powers outside that area with a Mutual Aid negotiation. I don't believe such a thing as Peace Officer exists in the UK...?

If you're not referring to the CNC, I apologise!

 

The OC-D

[TheHockeydude39]

I think that only PDs that need military equipment should have it. If the county PD has them, locals don't. (Way it works here)

Local PD is also vital to the flow of things. If county/state had to deal with all the shit the locals take, they would be stretching their resources. Now I'm considering the NYPD as local police, which, they are by definition. Now you wouldn't want NYST to take them over now would you? *not saying I don't like the troopers*

[EmergencyFan97]

I did, as I was on my phone, sorry! The distance is 5km but of course they have powers when pursuing off limits. There is a piece of legislation, I think the Energy Act, that states if another Chief Constable, home office force or not, asks the CNC Chief for mutual aid they then automatically adopt that force's powers and jurisdiction. 

 

It is pretty cool to see how states vary their LEAs. Was really awesome to see that some coroners have police powers...

To continue on the coroner thread, coroners in SC have LE powers. In South Carolina, the county coroner is the highest elected law enforcement official. Above the county sheriff, even.

And to reply to Bugi, I don't know where you got that local police has more power than county or state police. Locals have the least amount of power, then county, state, and federal, in that order.