LAW ENFORCEMENT REORGANIZATION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL

• NCJ Number: 68778
• Author(s): F KAISER
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 32 pages
• Corporate Author: Congressional Research Service
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Legislative/Regulatory Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: UPDATED VERSION ISSUE BRIEF

Annotation

BACKGROUND INFORMATION IS PROVIDED ON THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ESTABLISHMENT'S PAST AND PRESENT STRUCTURE AND DUTIES AND ON EFFORTS FOR ITS REORGANIZATION.

Abstract

THE HISTORY OF THE FEDERAL PRESENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IS OUTLINED FROM ITS ORIGINS IN THE 18TH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT, WHERE 113 UNITS WITH ABOUT 220,000 PERSONNEL OPERATE ON A COMBINED ANNUAL BUDGET OF 5 BILLION DOLLARS. SIXTY OF THE AGENCIES ARE INVOLVED IN REGULARTORY INVESTIGATION AND ENFORCEMENT, 58 IN INTERNAL EMPLOYEE INVESTIGATIONS, 57 IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND 46 IN EMPLOYMENT AND PERSONNEL SECURITY. MANY ARE INVOLVED IN OTHER ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS POLICE OR PREVENTIVE PATROL, AND PERSONAL PROTECTION. THE PRESIDENT'S REORGANIZATION PROJECT REPORTED IN 1979 AN ALMOST TOTAL LACK OF COORDINATION OF FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES AND POLICIES AND AN EXTENSIVE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES. HOWEVER, RECENT REORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN, FOR THE MOST PART, INTERNAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. PRESENT INTEREST IN REORGANIZATION HAS FOCUSED ON IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH THE CONSOLIDATION OF CERTAIN UNITS AND AGENCIES AND THROUGH THE EXPANSION OF STATE AND LOCAL RESPONSIBILITIES. THEREFORE, A NUMBER OF PROBLEM AREAS ARE RECEIVING ATTENTION: (1) WHAT CRITERIA SHOULD BE ADOPTED FOR CONSOLIDATIONS? (2) WHICH AGENCIES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR REORGANIZATION EFFORTS? (3) TO WHAT DEGREE IS LAW ENFORCEMENT AN AUXILIARY, RATHER THAN A PRIMARY, FUNCTION OF EACH AGENCY? (4) WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF REORGANIZATION FOR DEMOCRATIC CONTROLS OVER, AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF, LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES? (5) WHAT IS THE ROLE OF CONGRESS IN REORGANIZATION EFFORTS? (6) WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND ON STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS? (7) TO WHAT EXTENT WILL FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REORGANIZATIONS INTERRELATE WITH REORGANIZATIONS OF THE U.S. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY? AND (8) WHAT ARE THE PROBABLE COSTS? LEGISLATION OF THE 95TH AND 96TH CONGRESSES RELATING TO REORGANIZATION IS REVIEWED, AND A CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS FROM DECEMBER 1975 TO FEBRUARY 1980 IS PRESENTED. REFERENCES AND LISTS OF HEARINGS, REPORTS, AND CONGRESSIONAL DOCUMENTS ARE INCLUDED.