Three Branches: The Impact on Law Enforcement

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September 17, 1787, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; during the heat of summer, in a stuffy assembly room of Independence Hall, a group of delegates gathered. After four months of closed-door quorums, a four page, hand written document was signed by thirty-nine attendees of the Constitutional Convention. This document, has come to be considered, by many, the framework to the greatest form of government every known; the Constitution of the United States. One of the first of its kind, the Constitution laid out the frame work for the government we know today. A government of the people, by the people, and for the people; constructed of three branches; each branch charged with their own responsibilities. Article one established the Congress or Legislative branch, which would be charged with legislative powers. Article two created the Executive branch, providing chief executive powers to a president, who would act in the capacity of Commander in Chief of the Country’s military forces. The President of the United States also acts as head of state to foreign nations and may establish treaties and foreign policies. Additionally, the President and the departments within the Executive branch were established as the arm of government that is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress. Thirdly, under Article three of the Constitution, the Judicial branch was established, and consequently afforded the duty of interpreting the laws, determining the constitutionality of the laws, and apply it to individual cases. The separation of powers is paramount to the system of checks and balances among the three branches; however, although separate they must support the functions of the others. Because of this, the Legislative an... ... middle of paper ... ...nt to work together has increased. It has become more common place for federal law enforcement to work with local law enforcement. The monetary influence from programs administered by the Executive Branch with such programs as COPS, helps bring new technologies to local police agencies, thus impacting policing. Moreover, the federal law enforcement’s creation of new crime fighting technologies, eventually make their way into the state and local police departments. This supports the idea that both the Legislative and Executive Branches influence law enforcement; however, the Executive Branch provides a more direct and active influence. Works Cited U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Office for State and Local Law Enforcement. n.d. web. 10 November 2013. U.S. Department of Justice. The USA PATRIOT Act: Preserving Life and Liberty. n.d. web. 11 November 2013.

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