Law Enforcement Agencies in D.C.

U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service The federal investigative and protective program carries out internal and external investigations pertaining to the Coast Guard and its personnel. Agents carry firearms, execute and serve warrants and make arrests.

In the photo, former U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. James Loy, left, is sworn in during a 2001 congressional hearing.

(Getty Images/Alex Wong)

Getty Images/Alex Wong

Homeland Security Investigations HSI is a critical part of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement mission. This agency investigates a wide range of domestic and international activities involving the illegal movement of people and goods into, within and out of the United States.

HSI has more than 10,000 employees who are assigned to hundreds of cities throughout the U.S. and 47 countries around the world.

(Getty Images)

Getty Images

U.S. Federal Reserve Police As the law enforcement arm of the Federal Reserve, these officers safeguard facilities and protect personnel. The department has a canine unit, and has the same authority as many federal or state law enforcement agencies while acting in an official capacity.

(Getty Images/Kayana Szymczak)

Getty Images/Kayana Szymczak

Military Police Military police protect and safeguard the U.S. Army itself. Military police officers also control traffic, prevent crime and respond to all emergencies. The department was established in 1941, and its motto is "Of the Troops, for the Troops."

(Courtesy of Military Police Corps)

Courtesy of Military Police Corps

Amtrak Police Think twice before trying to bring contraband onto Amtrak -- these guys are watching. Not only do they ensure safe passage for travelers, they also keep an eye out for suspected criminals and terrorists. Within a train station, they have the same authority as any state or federal police officers.

(Getty Images/Brendan Smialowski)

Getty Images/Brendan Smialowski

United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police As the law enforcement arm of the Department of Veterans Affairs, these officers protect and secure VA medical centers and other facilities.

World War II veteran Terry Shima is pictured above at Victory Over Japan Day celebrations held on Labor Day.

(WTOP/Hank Silverberg)

WTOP/Hank Silverberg

Drug Enforcement Administration Established in 1973, the DEA has the dual responsibility of cracking down on the production, distribution and use of controlled substances, in addition to aiding the judiciary in criminal and civil drug-related cases.

It regularly coordinates with the FBI, Interpol, the United Nations and other government agencies throughout the world.

The DEA had more than 10,000 employees worldwide, and operated on a more than $2 billion annual budget in 2012.

(Getty Images/Brendan Hoffman)

Getty Images/Brendan Hoffman

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives The law enforcement agency deals with everything from criminal organizations to the illegal trafficking of firearms. It partners with communities and other law enforcement agencies to monitor terrorism and arson. It also investigates the illegal production and sale of alcohol and tobacco. It has about 5,000 employees and an annual budget of $1.2 billion.

(Getty Images/The Washington Post)

Getty Images/The Washington Post

Government Printing Office Uniformed Police These officers protect personnel and assets at the Government Printing Office, which prints and disseminates official federal documents. The officers conduct vehicle and bike patrols and random antiterrorism measures on the streets and buildings adjacent to GPO's main building.

(Getty Images)

Getty Images

Federal Protective Service An off-shoot of Homeland Security, the Federal Protective Service safeguards nearly 9,000 federal facilities, courthouses and properties, in addition to thousands of employees, contractors and civilian visitors.

In 2011, FPS conducted more than 2,000 criminal investigations and made more than 1,600 arrests, according to the agency's website. The agency has 900 officers.

(Getty Images)

Getty Images

Federal Bureau of Investigation Police One of the more famous law enforcement agencies, the FBI maintains its own uniformed police force that protect personnel, facilities and sensitive information.

"The primary mission of the FBI Police is to deter terrorist attacks with the visible presence of a well trained, well equipped, professional police force; and to protect the FBI from criminal acts and unauthorized access," according to the agency's website.

(Getty Images)

Getty Images

United States Postal Police One of the oldest agencies in the country, the postal police agency was established in 1772 by Postmaster General Benjamin Franklin. Officers specialize in protecting the postal system. This includes monitoring fraud, scams and theft.

(AP Photo/David Goldman)

AP Photo/David Goldman

Bureau of Engraving and Printing Police Not to be confused with the Mint police, this agency resides within the Treasury but is tasked with protecting notes (not coins) printed by the Federal Reserve. These notes are produced in facilities in D.C. and Fort Worth.

(Getty Images/Jefferson Best)

Getty Images/Jefferson Best

United States Mint Police Formed in 1792, the United States Mint Police is one of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies in the country. Officers protect more than $100 billion in Treasury and other government assets stored in facilities in Philadelphia, San Francisco, West Point, Denver, Fort Knox and D.C. The Mint only produces coins, not notes.

(Getty Images/Justin Sullivan)

Getty Images/Justin Sullivan

Pentagon Police (Facebook/Pentagon Force Protection Agency)

Facebook/Pentagon Force Protection Agency

United States Army Criminal Investigative Command The Army Criminal Investigative Command is in charge of conducting criminal investigations involving the U.S. Army.

Headquartered out of Quantico, Va., the agency's broad range of responsibilities include the following:

investigating serious crime;

collecting, analyzing and disseminating criminal intelligence;

conducting protective service operations;

providing forensic laboratory support;

maintaining Army criminal records.

(Courtesy of United States Army Criminal Investigative Command)

Courtesy of United States Army Criminal Investigative Command

United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service NCIS is not just the name of a popular crime drama, it also is the federal law enforcement agency charged with conducting investigations of felony-level offenses affecting the Navy and Marine Corps.

It is comprised of approximately 2,300 employees in more than 40 countries around the world.

While criminal investigation is at the core of NCIS, the agency focuses on fighting terrorism.

(Courtesy of NCIS)

Courtesy of NCIS

United States State Department Diplomatic Security Service The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the security and law enforcement arm of the State Department. Officers provide protection for diplomats and employees in the U.S. and on missions abroad. It was founded in 1916.

(Courtesy of Bureau of Diplomatic Security)

Courtesy of Bureau of Diplomatic Security

Smithsonian Police The Office of Protection Services consists of 850 members and is tasked with "ensuring that visitors, staff and collections at [Smithsonian Institution] are safe and secure."

OPS provides K-9 services, boat patrols and security services at the National Zoo, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Mayo, Md., and at Smithsonian facilities in Panama.

(Getty Images/Raymond Boyd)

Getty Images/Raymond Boyd

Supreme Court Police The role of this agency is to protect the Supreme Court justices, and employees and visitors to the Supreme Court grounds.

It was established in 1935 and falls under the jurisdiction of the Marshal of the United States Supreme Court.

(Getty Images/Mark Wilson)

Getty Images/Mark Wilson

United States Capitol Police "Our mission is to protect the Congress, its legislative processes, Members, employees, visitors, and facilities from crime, disruption, or terrorism. We protect and secure Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional responsibilities in a safe and open environment," the U.S. Capitol Police force says on its website.

(Getty Images/Tom Williams)

Getty Images/Tom Williams

District of Columbia Protective Services Police Department The PSPD is responsible for managing and providing security and law enforcement services at 67 District-owned and leased properties.

Officers also handle building security, response to calls for assistance at protected facilities, security assessments, monitoring and directing the contract security force to providing security for visiting dignitaries on district property.

(Facebook/Protective Services Police Department)

Facebook/Protective Services Police Department

Metro Transit Police Department Metro Transit Police Department's jurisdiction extends to D.C., Maryland and Virginia. The MTPD has 420 sworn police officers, 106 security special police and 24 civilian personnel. It was created in 1976 by President Gerald Ford.

(WTOP/Megan Cloherty)

WTOP/Megan Cloherty

District of Columbia Housing Authority Police Department A relative newcomer to the crime-fighting scene, this police department was established in 1995 to increase security for residents of public housing.

It is a fully operational, 24-hour police force that conducts patrols throughout D.C.'s public housing developments.

(Courtesy of District of Columbia Housing Authority)

Courtesy of District of Columbia Housing Authority

District of Columbia Department of Corrections The Department of Corrections' mission is to provide "a safe, secure, orderly and humane environment for the confinement of pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates, while affording those in custody meaningful rehabilitative opportunities that will assist them to constructively re-integrate into the community," the DOC says on its website. It was established in 1946.

(AP)

AP

United States Secret Service The United States Secret Service has one of the most important duties in the country -- to protect the president and his family at all times. It also offers protection to other national and foreign leadership.

The agency was established in 1865 to suppress the counterfeiting of U.S. currency. Its powers expanded at the turn of the century.

In this photo, agents keep watch on Lake Avenue while U.S. President Barack Obama places a take-out order at Nancy's Restaurant Aug. 13, 2013, in Oak Bluffs, Mass.

(Getty Images)

Getty Images

U.S. Park Police The United States Park Police provide law enforcement services to designated areas within the National Park Service in D.C., New York and California metropolitan area. The agency was founded in 1791 by President George Washington.

(Courtesy of U.S. Park Police)

Courtesy of U.S. Park Police

U.S. Marshals Created by Congress in 1789, the marshals were given authority to support the federal courts and to carry out all lawful orders issued by judges, Congress or the president. It is the enforcement arm of the federal courts.

(Courtesy of U.S. Marshals)

Courtesy of U.S. Marshals