Federal Law Enforcement

Topic

A central concept in the immigration debate, concerning the federal government's authority and responsibility to enforce laws, particularly in states and cities with opposing policies.


entitydetail.created_at

7/19/2025, 8:29:34 AM

entitydetail.last_updated

7/22/2025, 5:15:59 AM

entitydetail.research_retrieved

7/19/2025, 8:48:44 AM

Summary

Federal law enforcement agencies, commonly known as "Feds," are governmental bodies established by the U.S. federal government to enforce national laws and maintain public order. While the majority of their personnel are employed by the Department of Justice and Homeland Security, numerous other agencies operate under various executive, legislative, and judicial branches. These agencies collectively employ approximately 137,000 full-time staff with arrest and/or firearm authority across the 50 states and the District of Columbia, contributing to the over 800,000 law enforcement officers nationwide. Discussions, as highlighted in the All-In podcast, often revolve around their role in national issues like immigration policy and their interactions, sometimes clashing, with local officials, referencing historical events such as the LA Riots in the context of federal actions like ICE raids and National Guard deployments.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Purpose

    Maintain law and public order related to matters affecting the country as a whole

  • Informal Name

    Feds

  • Geographic Scope

    50 states and the District of Columbia

  • Training Centers

    Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Glynco Annex, Glynn County, Georgia

  • Other Employing Branches

    Other executive departments, legislative and judicial branches of the federal government

  • Primary Employing Departments

    Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security

  • Total US Law Enforcement Officers (approx.)

    Over 800,000

  • Personnel with Arrest/Firearm Authority (approx.)

    137,000 full-time staff

Federal law enforcement in the United States

The federal government of the United States empowers a wide range of federal law enforcement agencies (informally known as the "Feds") to maintain law and public order related to matters affecting the country as a whole. While the majority of federal law enforcement employees work for the Department of Justice and Homeland Security, there are dozens of other federal law enforcement agencies under the other executive departments, as well as under the legislative and judicial branches of the federal government. Federal agencies employ approximately 137,000 full-time personnel authorized to make arrests and/or carry firearms in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, out of the more than 800,000 law enforcement officers in the United States.

Web Search Results
  • The 2024 Florida Statutes (including 2025 Special Session C)

    | F.S. 901.1505 901.1505 Federal law enforcement officers; powers.— (1) As used in this section, the term “federal law enforcement officer” means a person who is employed by the Federal Government as a full-time law enforcement officer as defined by the applicable provisions of the United States Code, who is empowered to effect an arrest for violations of the United States Code, who is authorized to carry firearms in the performance of her or his duties, and who has received law enforcement [...] | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Title XLVII CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND CORRECTIONS | Chapter 901 ARRESTS AND TEMPORARY DETENTIONS | View Entire Chapter | | | F.S. 901.1505 901.1505 Federal law enforcement officers; powers.— (1) As used in this section, the term “federal law enforcement officer” means a person who is employed by the Federal Government as a full-time law enforcement officer as defined by the applicable provisions of the United States [...] PROCEDURE AND CORRECTIONS | Chapter 901 ARRESTS AND TEMPORARY DETENTIONS | View Entire Chapter | | | F.S. 901.1505 901.1505 Federal law enforcement officers; powers.— (1) As used in this section, the term “federal law enforcement officer” means a person who is employed by the Federal Government as a full-time law enforcement officer as defined by the applicable provisions of the United States Code, who is empowered to effect an arrest for violations of the United States Code, who is authorized

  • Federal law enforcement in the United States - Wikipedia

    The United States Department of Justice was formerly the largest and is still the most prominent, collection of federal law enforcement agencies. It has handled most law enforcement duties at the federal level and includes the United States Marshals Service (USMS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), and others. [...] The federal government of the United States empowers a wide range of federal law enforcement agencies (informally known as the "Feds") to maintain law and public order related to matters affecting the country as a whole. [...] While the majority of federal law enforcement employees work for the Department of Justice and Homeland Security, there are dozens of other federal law enforcement agencies under the other executive departments, as well as under the legislative and judicial branches of the federal government.

  • Operational and Support Components | Homeland Security

    FEMA supports our citizens and first responders to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. ## Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) FLETC provides career-long training to law enforcement professionals to help them fulfill their responsibilities safely and proficiently. ## United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) [...] United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ICE promotes homeland security and public safety through the criminal and civil enforcement of federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration. ## United States Secret Service (USSS) United States Secret Service Logo (as of March 2025) [...] USCG is the only military organization within DHS and protects the maritime economy and the environment, defends our maritime borders, and saves those at risk. ## United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) CBP's priority mission is to keep terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. CBP also secures and facilitates trade and travel while enforcing regulations, including immigration and drug laws.

  • Training Catalog | Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers

    Displaying 1 - 95 of 95 Return to top Main menu --------- Home Training Locations Resources Careers & Internships News About Image 6: Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers logo Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers ### FLETC Contact Center (912) 267-2100 267-2100) #webmaster@fletc.dhs.gov [...] Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock () or means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu _Image 4: Go to Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers Producer Resource Steward sealFederal Law Enforcement Training Centers_ My eFLETC Training Careers FAQs Contact Us [...] Search By Title or Subject (optional) Search by Location (optional)

  • Programs | Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers

    Partner Organization aid in requesting program modifications for existing programs. ## Program Modifications Cheltenham's training delivery point principal function is to provide firearms and vehicle operations requalifications for metropolitan area law enforcement. ## Requalifications ## Main menu Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers logo Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers ## FLETC Contact Center [...] U.S. flag An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know Dot gov Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Https Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock (LockA locked padlock) or means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Go to Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers Producer Resource Steward seal close # Programs [...] ## Breadcrumb Search our Training Catalog to learn more about the programs offered at FLETC. Each program provides information on prerequisites, training materials, syllabus, contact information, and program registration. ## Training Catalog Center Basic or Center Integrated Basic training programs designed for full-time law enforcement agents or officers from our Partner Organizations(PO). Registration through Federal agency sponsoring trainee. ## Basic Programs

Location Data

Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, 1131, Chapel Crossing Road, Glynco Annex, Glynn County, Georgia, 31524, United States

educational institution

Coordinates: 31.2403755, -81.4726401

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