law enforcement

Law enforcement refers to the government agencies and individuals designated to enforce laws and maintain public order and safety. 34 USC § 12291(a)(23), the Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act defines law enforcement as “a public agency charged with policing functions, including any of its component bureaus (such as governmental victim services programs or Village Public Safety Officers), including those referred to in section 2802 of title 25.” Law enforcement duties include investigations of crimes such as arrests and detentions, regulatory oversight, and analyzing evidence for criminal proceedings. Law enforcement exists within local municipalities, state level, and federal levels. For example, a local city’s sheriff’s department, state highway patrol, and the FBI and DEA are all law enforcement agencies.  

For more information, please visit the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Law Enforcement webpage. 

[Last reviewed in March of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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