The purpose of law enforcement is to maintain peace and order in society. The police department consists of several branches, each responsible for a specific task. The functions of uniformed police officers include traffic control, active crime response, and crime prevention. The officers that belong to this group are easily identifiable by the public. Plainclothes police detectives do not wear uniforms. They engage in investigative work and are usually involved in a single case for long periods of time. They gather information partly by blending in with the crowd. Unless it's absolutely necessary, they usually do not reveal that they are law enforcement officers. At times, they actually take on false identities during undercover operations. There are also specialized groups within the department of law enforcement. The bomb squad is a group that deals primarily with explosives. A special unit called the narcotics department, or the NARCS, specializes in cases that deal with illegal substances. The most important police officers in terms of field operations are the members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams. The members usually carry smaller, more powerful weapons that allow them to defend themselves during violent situations. They are also equipped with non-lethal weapons such as tear gas, concussion grenades, and rubber bullets, as well as protective bulletproof vests. Even law enforcement officials have their own watchdogs. The Department of Internal Affairs deals with the overseeing investigations within the department. The scope of their work is limited to bribery, graft, and other methods and cases of internal corruption. |
