Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
What is the role of the police in America?
Position2 of 4

To enforce the legal system

This position holds that the role of the police in America is to enforce the legal system. It argues that the police are the working arm of the executive branch — deterring and preventing crime, making arrests, and carrying out the decisions of the legislature and judiciary.

Supporting arguments · 3

  1. The police function as emissaries of the judiciary
    Our legal system in America comprises prisons, the police, and courts. The police’s role in this triad is to carry out the footwork of the judiciary as its agents.
  2. The police arrest people and stop crime
    The police’s role is to police – meaning their sole job is to disrupt criminal activity.
  3. The police deter and prevent crime
    More police presence equals safer communities because the police are better able to enforce laws. This enforcement of laws is their main task, as they do the footwork of the judiciary.