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Northern Essex Community College

Module 2 Writing Assignment

Review the assignment overview, learning objectives, directions, and submission expectations before submitting your work.

Overview

In this assignment, you will analyze the structure, mission, jurisdiction, and responsibilities of a federal or state law enforcement agency. Law enforcement agencies vary significantly in their authority, geographic reach, organizational design, and operational responsibilities. Understanding how these agencies are organized and administered is essential for understanding modern policing in the United States.

You will conduct research using government publications, agency websites, annual reports, professional publications, and credible news sources to develop a comprehensive profile of a law enforcement agency. Through this process, you will examine how the agency fulfills its mission and contributes to public safety and the criminal justice system.

Student Learning Objectives

(These objectives support the assignment and are not the questions to be answered.)

  • LO1: Analyze the organization, administration, and jurisdiction of a federal or state law enforcement agency. (SLO2)
  • LO2: Evaluate how law enforcement agencies contribute to public safety and the administration of justice. (SLO6)
Assignment Topic

Select one federal or state law enforcement agency and prepare a detailed agency profile. Your paper should examine the agency’s history, authority, mission, structure, and current role within the criminal justice system.

Government publications, annual reports, agency websites, newspaper articles, professional publications, and agency public information offices may be used to gather information.

Your paper should address the following areas:

  • Agency name and level of government (federal or state).
  • History and origin of the agency.
  • Jurisdiction and legal authority.
  • Mission statement and primary goals.
  • Major functions and responsibilities.
  • Organizational structure and chain of command.
  • Current staffing levels and budget information (if available).
  • Major programs, initiatives, or specialized units.
  • Current challenges facing the agency.
  • The agency’s role within the broader criminal justice system.
  • Your assessment of the agency’s effectiveness in achieving its mission.

Examples include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Massachusetts State Police, or another approved federal or state law enforcement agency.

Acceptable and Ethical Use of AI
  • You may use AI tools to help identify potential sources, summarize publicly available agency information, or generate research questions. All information must be verified using credible sources before being included in your paper.
  • If you use AI during the research process, your final submission must reflect your own analysis, organization, and writing. Submitting AI-generated work as your own violates course academic integrity policies.
Directions

Please read all instructions carefully before submitting your assignment.

  • Your paper should be 2-3 pages, using APA style, including 12 font and 1-inch margins.
  • A minimum of at least two (2) credible sources, with proper APA citations in a Reference Page and proper in-text citations.
  • Abstract NOT needed.
  • Organize your paper using an introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • Address all required components listed in the Assignment Topic section.
  • Support your analysis with factual information gathered from professional and governmental sources whenever possible.
  • Submissions are checked against a Plagiarism Checker and AI Detector.
    • Direct quotes should not exceed 15% of the total paper.
    • AI Usage – you must use AI ethically. Papers written by an AI is cheating.
Submission Guidelines
  • Submit your assignment through the designated submission area.
  • Ensure your file is in Microsoft Word (.docx) or PDF format.
  • Review the grading rubric before submitting your work.
Important Reminder

Important: All work must be your own. Follow course policies regarding academic integrity and the use of outside sources or tools.