State police

The enforcement of law in the United States has traditionally been centered in the hands of state police officers. The bulk of the work is done by the police and detectives in the cities and by sheriffs in rural areas.

State police departments are independent yet supportive of other law enforcement agencies. Their mission is to preserve law and order; to enforce criminal, traffic, and regulatory¹ laws; to provide security and safety services. State police promote crime prevention and encourage citizen involvement in protective measures that individuals and business owners can use to reduce the chances of becoming a victim.

State police divide their states into several jurisdictions for ease of command, both in matters in field operations and criminal investigation. The members of the US police force who have most contact with the public are uniformed officers, who patrol in cars and are the first to arrive when a crime is reported. More serious crimes are investigated by detectives, who usually wear plain clothes instead of a uniform.

Because State Police are empowered to enforce all laws of the state, there is no average day or routine duty for state troopers. Police officers have to answer all types of police and emergency calls. In addition to patrolling the state’s highways, sworn members of the Department perform a variety of other duties: a trooper may respond to an accident, check commercial vehicles for weight violations or come to the aid of a local police department in a hostage situation, a major accident or a hazardous material spill. A trooper may investigate an airplane accident or traffic fatality, or spend the day in an elementary school talking to children about drugs.

In spite of the fact that police officers in the US wear guns, they are seen by many Americans as being honest, helpful people who work hard at a dangerous job. This is the image that has been shown in popular television programs. But in recent years it has become clear that many police officers are prejudiced against African Americans and Hispanics and that in some police forces prejudice and even violence by the police have been common.

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¹ regulatory - регламентирующий

Task 16. Find the English equivalents for the following word combinations.

1. способствовать предотвращению преступлений

2. меры защиты

3. быть уполномоченным выполнять что-либо

4. отвечать на звонки о чрезвычайных происшествиях

5. исполнять разнообразные обязанности

6. серьезное происшествие

7. ДТП со смертельным исходом

8. не смотря на то, что

Task 17. Complete the following sentences.

1. Much of the law enforcement in the USA is done by …

2. The mission of state police agencies is

• to preserve …;

• to enforce …;

• to provide … .

State police promote … and encourage …

State police are empowered …

Police officers have to answer …

Police officers perform a variety of other duties. They

• patrol …;

• respond …;

• come to the aid… .

7. A trooper may investigate …

8. He may also spend the day …

Task 18. Fill the gaps with the words from the box; read and translate the text.

agencies apprehending unchanged

preventing highways objectives

happen harmful purposes

A police agency exists for the several purposes of … crime, detecting and … criminals, preventing accidents and handling accidents when they …, preventing other incidents relating to the citizenry of the community of an annoying, … or inconvenient nature, taking care of such incidents as they occur. Each of these basic … has several aspects. Achieving these purposes are the basic … of any police agency. To achieve them requires good police administration.

Planning is the key to good police administration. It must look ahead to new problems (influx of summer residents, patrolling new …) and back to old problems (old patrol system, old-fashioned filing system). No community stays …. Police … must be ready to meet new conditions and problems. Planning permits this flexibility.

Task 19. Fill the gaps with prepositions; translate the sentences.

1. It wasn’t an accident. You did it … purpose.

2. They voted in favour of the prohibition … smoking in public areas.

3. He spoke on the use of nuclear energy … military purposes.

4. After a hard day’s work one feels entitled … a rest.

5. He went to her house … the purpose of threatening her.

6. A dictionary is an important aid … learning a new language.

7. He seems to be prejudiced … women in business.

8. You may completely rely on him. He will always come … the aid if you need it.

9. The police have evidence of his involvement … this crime.

10. They were accused … aiding him … his escape.

Task 20. Read and translate the pledge (обязательство) that police officers take in the state of Virginia and compare it with the oath of office (присяга) that Russian militia officers take.