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Law enforcement agencies are identified by jurisdiction. There are local law enforcement agencies such as the city police departments and transit police. State law enforcement agencies include the water police, harbor patrol or marine police. Federal law enforcement agencies include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Secret Service.

There are far more federal law enforcement agencies than local and state. The Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Air Marshall are examples of federal law enforcement agencies.

City police such as the Los Angeles Police Department or the New York Police Department are examples of local law enforcement agencies. Police officers along with higher-ranked officers such as detectives, lieutenants and captains enforce the law inside the city limits.

Local law enforcement agencies have no jurisdiction outside the city where they are employed. The Los Angeles Police Department has no jurisdiction or power outside the city of Los Angeles.

The highway patrol or state troopers have jurisdiction in the entire state and are generally responsible for enforcing the law on interstate highways. The state law enforcement agencies are also responsible for protecting the state governor.

Water police, marine and harbor patrol officers have jurisdiction on waterways such as lakes and rivers. State law enforcement officers investigate crimes and take part in search, rescue and recovery operations.