Leader

**pulicords** · 08-07-2007, 02:34 AM

Having local, regional and specialized law enforcement agencies allows for departments which are more in tune with and responsive to the communities and people they service. This country is extremely diverse and to expect a "one sized fits all" organization to provide the wide range of services our "customers" expect is simply not realistic. The flexibility offered by the variety of organizations is a huge benefit that our system of law enforcement offers that few other countries enjoy and (IMO) is directly related to the wider range of freedoms our citizens enjoy and are accustomed to.

**LawDog99** · 08-07-2007, 09:48 AM

Without doing any research whatsoever, I'm going out on a limb and taking the stance that our way has GOT to be better than the French!

**zombo** · 08-07-2007, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by LawDog99 View Post

Without doing any research whatsoever, I'm going out on a limb and taking the stance that our way has GOT to be better than the French!

How would you quantify that? I mean, France does have a lower crime rate, so far as I'm aware...

I just wonder, because with their system, they can mobilize and distribute forces far more easily... But then again, their benefit may come from the Napoleonic code...

**L-1** · 08-07-2007, 01:27 PM

The American revolution and the formation of this country was based (among other things) on the desire for home or local rule. Back then, the King would decree laws, formulate governmental policies and provide (or fail to provide) services based solely on his impression of what was appropriate. Needless to say, this didn't meet the unique interests, needs and desires of the people, which would literally vary from community to community. Hence, the revolution. This principle has been a basic part of our governmental system ever since.

As an example of different community interests, I live in Orange County, California, an area that is strongly shaped by conservative political, social and religious values. Four hundred miles to the north is San Francisco, an area that is strongly shaped by liberal political, social and religious values. If the Chief of Police in San Francisco allowed her department to enforce the law in keeping with Orange County priorities, she would be out of her job in a heartbeat. Similarly, if the Chief of Police in Newport Beach allowed his department to enforce the law in keeping with San Francisco priorities, he would be out on his *** as well. It's not that either standard is wrong - it's just that in this situation, neither would reflect the interests and needs of their respective communities. One size does not fit all. That's why each community has its own law enforcement agency - to ensure things are done in keeping with the priorities and needs of the communities they serve.

In addition to wanting a degree of control over how police services are delivered, specialized agencies such as schools, airports, parks, etc, often form their own police because the volume of people on their properties and the resulting need for police services often places an undue financial burden on local law enforcement. For example, the State is the second largest land owner in California and all of its property is tax exempt, so not a cent is paid to local government for police services. As a result, California maintained a State Police for 108 years to provide this service, The CSP later merged with the Highway Patrol and CHP now responds to call for service on state property. In addition, unique laws often apply to airports, schools, state facilities, parks, etc, that are known to specialized police but usually unknown to city PD and county SO personnel. Without specialized officers who are knowledgeable in these obscure laws, some government agencies simply don't get the protection they are entitled to.

**Garbage Man** · 08-07-2007, 08:23 PM

I strongly beleive in local agencies wherever a city can afford it. I think its always best when the police are connected to the community. The problem with larger agencies is that its officers are always being transfered to new areas whenever they get promoted or sent to a specialty. The officers in a local agency stay in your city no matter where their carear goes.

As for the many specialty PD's I am for them but only if they comply with state standards. Many of these aganencies (including one I used to work for) started off as city security and that is how their bosses want to pay and train them, but then the bosses want police type services from them. Security officers are armed for self protection only and should only be required to observe and report crime to the police, but if I had done that at my city security job I would have been fired. We booked all of our own arrestees handled calls for service and acted completely independant of the city PD. We never called a cop to clean up our mess. We caught it and cleaned it doing all the paper. In 1992, when the riots hit the city, I was deputized by the local PD and sent out just like any other cop. But when negotiations came around it was always "What? your just security guards?" Thats why I had to get out of there....sorry 13 years later and still bitter.

**Fuzz** · 08-07-2007, 09:20 PM

California by itself is close to the same size as the entire country of France. A national police force to cover the entire united states would be a disaster because of bueracracy and a lack of understanding of local areas. On top of that I dont think many people would want a "national police" based on our history, fear of government,etc. In San Diego County the agencies usually work very well together because of similar training, policies, etc. There is a countywide composite platoon established that can be called out for riots, protests, etc and it is comprised of officers from almost all of the agencies. At least in this area the mutual aid agreements and interaction between agencies works pretty well.

**pulicords** · 08-07-2007, 10:27 PM