Investigative branches are potent in ensuring law enforcement and peace within the country. They help to curb criminal activities and illegal acts.
FBI and Police are two law enforcement agencies that ensure peace and prevent attacks within a country. However, there are considerable differences between the FBI and Police.
Key Takeaways
- The FBI is a federal law enforcement agency investigating crimes that cross state lines or involve national security. At the same time, police are local law enforcement agencies that maintain public order and enforce local laws.
- FBI agents have federal jurisdiction and enforce federal laws, while police officers have jurisdiction limited to their respective cities, towns, or counties.
- FBI agents receive more extensive training than police officers and are responsible for conducting complex investigations. In contrast, police officers are more community-oriented and responsible for responding to emergencies.
FBI vs Police
The FBI is responsible for investigating and enforcing federal laws, gathering intelligence, and protecting the country against threats to national security. Police departments are responsible for maintaining law and order, enforcing laws, and protecting communities from crime.
FBI refers to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI serves several purposes and functions within the United States. The motto of the FBI is fidelity, bravery, and integrity.
It came into existence on 26 July 1908. The FBI has an employment rate of over 35000 people. It comprises agents, scientists, IT specialists, support professionals, and language specialists.
The Police refer to a body of individuals empowered by the state to serve the purposes of law enforcement within their jurisdiction.
The police have the power to arrest an individual or use force as legitimised by the state. Although the police serve various functions, their main task is to ensure law and order.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | FBI | Police |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The FBI is a federal investigative agency. | Police refers to local law enforcement agency. |
| Role | The FBI is the law enforcement agency of the United States. | The police are responsible for the day to day functioning and maintenance of law and order. |
| Function | The FBI is the Brain of the United States. | The police connotes the body parts performing crucial functions. |
| Purview | The purview of the FBI is the violation of federal statutes. | The purview of police is the violation of state and local statutes. |
| Types | The FBI has no types. | Police may constitute uniformed police or detectives. |
What is the FBI?
FBI refers to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Federal stands for the national governing body of the United States. Bureau connotes a division of the government.
Similarly, Investigation refers to in-depth research that involves the collection of facts to solve the crime. The FBI serves several purposes and functions within the United States.
A prominent function of the FBI is to protect the civil rights of citizens, suspect and protect the US from terrorist invasions, and against foreign intelligence and espionage.
It also serves to curb any cybercriminal activity and prohibits corruption incidents at all levels. In addition, the FBI ensures that there are no occurrences of white-collar crime.
The FBI has an employment rate of over 35000 people. It comprises agents, scientists, IT specialists, support professionals, and language specialists.
The FBI serves to uphold the constitution of the United States and tends to avoid the occurrences of any kind of harmful incidents.
The motto of the FBI is fidelity, bravery, and integrity. It came into existence on 26 July 1908. The main branches of the FBI are the National Security Branch, Science and Technology Branch, Human Resources Branch, Information and Technology Branch, and Intelligence Branch.
Thus, the FBI adopts the role of a law enforcer within the states.
What is the Police?
The Police refer to a body of individuals empowered by the state to serve the purposes of law enforcement within their jurisdiction.
It is the primary duty of the police to ensure the safety, security, and health of citizens and prevent the occurrences of crime and violent conflicts. The police have the power to arrest an individual or use force as legitimised by the state.
Although the police serve various functions, their main task is to ensure law and order. The role of police officials may be controversial at times due to their association with corruption, brutality, and enforcement of authoritarian rule.
At most times, the police forces constitute public services funded by taxes.
A police force has several names. It may be called a police department, constable, police constabulary, civil guard, law enforcement agency, civic guard, and gendarmerie.
There are several slang used for addressing police officers. One of the most popular out of the slangs is a cop. However, it has lost its significance over the years.
There are different types of police forces. Uniformed police and detectives are the most common categories of police forces. Apart from that, there are religious police, military police, and international criminal police organizations.
To conclude, the police serve to curb violent movements.
Main Differences Between FBI and Police
- The FBI is a federal investigative agency. In contrast, police refer to local law enforcement agencies.
- The FBI is the Brain of the United States. On the other hand, the police connote the body parts performing crucial functions.
- The FBI is the law enforcement agency of the United States. In contrast, the police are responsible for functioning and maintaining law and order.
- The FBI has no type. On the other hand, police may constitute uniformed police or detectives.
- The purview of the FBI is a violation of federal statutes. In contrast, the purview of the police is a violation of state and local statutes.
- https://www.ncjrs.gov/app/abstractdb/AbstractDBDetails.aspx?id=104237
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=2d_AAgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT7&dq=fbi+role&ots=RxLJZ4dKaM&sig=RcFnG1uh0F3vgzjMe9KqKR5-jSk
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Federal agencies like the FBI have a broader range of duties and, therefore, require more specialized training than local police forces.
The FBI’s primary focus is on national security, counterterrorism, and the investigation of federal crimes, distinguishing it from local police agencies.
The extensive authority of the FBI is aimed at addressing threats to the entire nation, making it an essential element in safeguarding the country’s security.
Both the FBI and police departments play crucial roles in maintaining law and order, but they have different responsibilities and functions.
The FBI investigates organized crime, public corruption, drug trafficking, and financial crimes, among others.
The FBI has jurisdiction across the entire nation, while police officers have jurisdiction limited to specific areas.
Police officers are called upon to engage with the local community and respond to emergencies, addressing more immediate security concerns.
FBI is more focused on national defense, which differs significantly from police, which concentrate on community well-being and local security.