Prepare for the Criminal Justice Test with our study materials. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Ace your exam confidently!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Approximately how many municipal police departments were operational in the United States in 2013?

  1. More than 125,000

  2. More than 12,000

  3. 1,250

  4. 125

The correct answer is: More than 12,000

In 2013, there were over 12,000 municipal police departments in the United States. This number reflects the structure of law enforcement in the country, where municipal police departments are the most common type of policing agency. These departments are responsible for law enforcement within their specific municipalities, providing services such as patrol, response to emergencies, traffic enforcement, and community policing. The significance of this number lies in its indication of how law enforcement is organized at the local level. Each department varies in size, resources, and jurisdiction, but collectively they play a crucial role in maintaining public safety across diverse communities. Understanding the breadth and distribution of police departments helps illustrate the scale at which local law enforcement operates in the U.S. and can influence discussions about policing strategies, community relations, and resource allocation within the criminal justice system.