<P> Law enforcement operates primarily through governmental police agencies . There are 17,985 U.S. police agencies in the United States which include college campus police , sheriff departments , local police , and federal agencies . The law - enforcement purposes of these agencies are the investigation of suspected criminal activity , referral of the results of investigations to the courts , and the temporary detention of suspected criminals pending judicial action . Law enforcement agencies , to varying degrees at different levels of government and in different agencies , are also commonly charged with the responsibilities of deterring criminal activity and preventing the successful commission of crimes in progress . Other duties may include the service and enforcement of warrants , writs , and other orders of the courts . </P>
<P> Law enforcement operates primarily through governmental police agencies . There are 17,985 U.S. police agencies in the United States which include college campus police , sheriff departments , local police , and federal agencies . The law - enforcement purposes of these agencies are the investigation of suspected criminal activity , referral of the results of investigations to the courts , and the temporary detention of suspected criminals pending judicial action . Law enforcement agencies , to varying degrees at different levels of government and in different agencies , are also commonly charged with the responsibilities of deterring criminal activity and preventing the successful commission of crimes in progress . Other duties may include the service and enforcement of warrants , writs , and other orders of the courts . </P>
how many different police agencies are there in the us
how many different police agencies are there in the us
17,985
17,985