OT: Police?

There are exceptions to arrest powers. For example, park rangers have powers of arrest within the parks only.

Bob

The post office is on the OH side of the street and has both OH and IN zip codes.

Interestingly, 2 counties north of us, College Corner Elementary (formerly High School) is built on the state line. Every time you fast break you change states, because the state line splits the gym exactly in half.

Townships can also have a constable which would be an elected position. Constable would have to meet state training and other requirements like any other officer.

Sheriffs are the chief law enforcement officer for a county, will have deputies under him. Elected.

State police are just that - officers hired by the state. State also has motor carrier officers - state police with duties to enforce trucking rules & regs - full state police powers.

Conservation officers, are state police - with all the powers of a state officer, but hired by the department of conservation to enforce game laws, and some environmental issues. These officers are often called upon to back police from other agencies when needed.

Then there's the "oddballs," like college campus police, and tribal police. (We have an Indian reservation here, their officers are federal marshalls, but serve like local officers.)

Now the interesting thing is how these officers duties overlap. Many of the smaller jurisdictions officers may carry a deputy's badge, and thus don't run out of power at their jurisdiction's border. Often officers are called upon to cross jurisdictional lines to back officers where necessary. Of course, an officer "in hot persuit," any follow you wherever he needs, regardless of borders. Don't know how this plays in national borders. Often if an officer has to cross jurisdictional boundaries to make an arrest he will be accompanied by an officer in the jurisdiction where arrest is made. Often jurisdictions overlap, like a city within a county. We have one small city locally with 5 police agencies within their boundaries - don't know who will show up for your 911 call!

Then there are several Federal police agencies, Federal Marshall's service, FBI, CIA, Bureau of Firearms, & Tobacco, etc. But let.s not go there!

With that said, most cities and counties have their own police force which has taken over the law enforcement part of that equation, most but not all. The state police have a state wide law enforcement responsiblity.

As an interesting political tidbit, the only person who can arrest a sheriff in Kentucky (absent a federal warrant) is the county coroner.

You do that in Illinois and you will get a ticket, the sheriff and deputies are the law in any area not covered by the city cops, the state cops are also everywhere, but they are mainly state highway and interstate enforcers, but can go aywhere they want to go.

It's been explained to me that State Police and Game Warden Officers have almost unlimited jurisdiction. County Officers are supposed to limit activity to their own county, while locals are supposed to remain in their locality. All the while, they ALL have a duty to enforce the laws if they happen upon a crime being commited OR know of a fellow officer needing their assistance outside of their jurisdiction. In some areas, we have constables still, who are there to ALSO serve summons, eveiction papers, and court issued papers.

DOT Officers in Kentucky are part of the State Police.

Federal Marshalls handle cases where interstate crime, federal laws, and issues with US Mail are concerned.

FBI is for capital crime, bank robbery, and kidnapping/murder.

ATF is "the revenuer". Any crimes commited with regard to federally taxed and controled substances or materials. (Liquor, guns and tobacco)

In any event, I have the highest regard and the utmost respect for ALL who wear a badge. They have a tough job with low pay, bad hours, and hostile conditions. I might not always agree with the way a few choose to enforce the laws, but I sure wouldn't want to do without them.

Town/Marshal - Commissioned by the small town and usually employs under 5 officers.

City Police - Commissioned by the city mayor and normally have more than 5 officers.

Sheriff - A department that covers an entire county. Typical deparment is more than 20 officers.

State Police - Commissioned by the state government and normally support local agencies.

Excise Police - Carry the ability to enforce liquor laws. They also work in casinos.

DNR/State Parks - Commissioned by the state to enforce fish and wildlife laws.

All of these officers have arrest powers anywhere in the state in which they are commissioned. The "boundaries" of years ago are no longer (at least here). Any of these officers can make an arrest of any type. In fact, all are cross trained in other areas as well.

Rule #1: Try not to tangle with state police.

Rule #2: NEVER tangle with US Marshals, FBI, Customs, or Border Patrol!

Everything else is a crap shoot.