law enforcement officer

Defined in 20 places across 8 titles of the United States Code.

"law enforcement officer" means an individual involved in crime and juvenile delinquency control or reduction, or enforcement of the criminal laws (including juvenile delinquency).,1 including, but not limited to, police, corrections, probation, parole, and judicial officers;

Same definition in 2 sections

2017–2021 34 U.S.C. § 10284Crime Control and Law Enforcement · Definitions · as used in this subchapter
2005–present 42 U.S.C. § 3796BThe Public Health and Welfare · Definitions · as used in this subchapter

the term "law enforcement officer" means any officer, agent, or employee of a State, unit of local government, or Indian tribe authorized by law or by a government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, or investigation of any violation of criminal law, or authorized by law to supervise sentenced criminal offenders.

Same definition in 2 sections

2017–present 34 U.S.C. § 10533Crime Control and Law Enforcement · Definitions · for purposes of this subchapter
1998–present 42 U.S.C. § 3796LLThe Public Health and Welfare · Definitions · for purposes of this subchapter

The term "law enforcement officer" means any officer, agent, or employee of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State, authorized by law or by a government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of criminal law.

Same definition in 2 sections

2017–present 34 U.S.C. § 10534Crime Control and Law Enforcement · James Guelff and Chris McCurley Body Armor Act of 2002 · in this section
2002–present 42 U.S.C. § 3796LLThe Public Health and Welfare · James Guelff and Chris McCurley Body Armor Act of 2002 · in this section

As used in paragraph (1)(b),1 the term “law enforcement officer” means a public servant authorized by law or by a Government agency or Congress to conduct or engage in the prevention, investigation, prosecution or adjudication of an offense, and includes those engaged in corrections, probation, or parole functions.

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1994–2006 21 U.S.C. § 848Food and Drugs · Continuing criminal enterprise · in this section

As used in paragraph (1)(B), the term “law enforcement officer” means a public servant authorized by law or by a Government agency or Congress to conduct or engage in the prevention, investigation, prosecution or adjudication of an offense, and includes those engaged in corrections, probation, or parole functions.

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2006–present 21 U.S.C. § 848Food and Drugs · Continuing criminal enterprise · in this section

For the purpose of this subchapter, the term “law enforcement officer” means—

(1) a law enforcement officer within the meaning of section 5541(3) and to whom the provisions of chapter 51 apply;

(2) a member of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division;

(3) a member of the United States Park Police;

(4) a special agent in the Diplomatic Security Service;

(5) a probation officer (referred to in section 3672 of title 18); and

(6) a pretrial services officer (referred to in section 3153 of title 18).

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1994–present 5 U.S.C. § 4521Government Organization and Employees · Definition · in this section

“law enforcement officer” has the meaning given that term under section 8331(20) or 8401(17).

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2000–present 5 U.S.C. § 7371Government Organization and Employees · Mandatory removal from employment of law enforcement officers convicted of felonies · in this section

“law enforcement officer” means an employee, the duties of whose position are primarily the investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States, including an employee engaged in this activity who is transferred to a supervisory or administrative position. For the purpose of this paragraph, “detention” includes the duties of—

(A) employees of the Bureau of Prisons and Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated;

(B) employees of the Public Health Service assigned to the field service of the Bureau of Prisons or of the Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated;

(C) employees in the field service at Army or Navy disciplinary barracks or at confinement and rehabilitation facilities operated by any of the armed forces; and

(D) employees of the Department of Corrections of the District of Columbia, its industries and utilities;

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2013–2018 5 U.S.C. § 8331Government Organization and Employees · Definitions · in this section

"law enforcement officer" means an employee, the duties of whose position are primarily the investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States, including an employee engaged in this activity who is transferred to a supervisory or administrative position. For the purpose of this paragraph, "detention" includes the duties of—

(A) employees of the Bureau of Prisons and Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated;

(B) employees of the Public Health Service assigned to the field service of the Bureau of Prisons or of the Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated;

(C) employees in the field service at Army or Navy disciplinary barracks or at confinement and rehabilitation facilities operated by any of the armed forces; and

(D) employees of the Department of Corrections of the District of Columbia, its industries and utilities;

whose duties in connection with individuals in detention suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States or of the District of Columbia or offenses against the punitive articles of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (chapter 47 of title 10) require frequent (as determined by the appropriate administrative authority with the concurrence of the Office) direct contact with these individuals in their detention, direction, supervision, inspection, training, employment, care, transportation, or rehabilitation;

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1994–present 5 U.S.C. § 8331Government Organization and Employees · Definitions · in this section

“law enforcement officer” means an employee who—

(A) is a law enforcement officer within the meaning of section 8331(20) or 8401(17);

(B) in the case of an employee who holds a supervisory or administrative position and is subject to subchapter III of chapter 83, but who does not qualify to be considered a law enforcement officer within the meaning of section 8331(20), would so qualify if such employee had transferred directly to such position after serving as a law enforcement officer within the meaning of such section;

(C) in the case of an employee who holds a supervisory or administrative position and is subject to chapter 84, but who does not qualify to be considered a law enforcement officer within the meaning of section 8401(17), would so qualify if such employee had transferred directly to such position after performing duties described in section 8401(17)(A) and (B) for at least 3 years; and

(D) in the case of an employee who is not subject to subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84—

(i) holds a position that the Office of Personnel Management determines would satisfy subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) if the employee were subject to subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84; or

(ii) is a special agent in the Diplomatic Security Service.

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1994–present 5 U.S.C. § 5541Government Organization and Employees · Definitions · in this section

"law enforcement officer" means an individual involved in crime and juvenile delinquency control or reduction, or enforcement of the criminal laws (including juvenile delinquency), including, but not limited to, police, corrections, probation, parole, and judicial officers;

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2021–present 34 U.S.C. § 10284Crime Control and Law Enforcement · Definitions · as used in this subchapter

“law enforcement officer” means an individual involved in crime and juvenile delinquency control or reduction, or enforcement of the laws, including, but not limited to, police, corrections, probation, parole, and judicial officers;

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1994–2005 42 U.S.C. § 3796BThe Public Health and Welfare · Definitions · as used in this subchapter

Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to deter any law enforcement officer from lawfully carrying out the duties of his office; and no law enforcement officer shall be considered to be in violation of this section for lawfully carrying out the duties of his office or lawfully enforcing ordinances and laws of the United States, the District of Columbia, any of the several States, or any political subdivision of a State. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “law enforcement officer” means any officer of the United States, the District of Columbia, a State, or political subdivision of a State, who is empowered by law to conduct investigations of, or make arrests because of, offenses against the United States, the District of Columbia, a State, or a political subdivision of a State.

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1994–present 18 U.S.C. § 245Crimes and Criminal Procedure · Federally protected activities · in this section

The term “law enforcement officer” has the meaning given the term “Federal law enforcement officer” in section 115 of title 18.

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2021–present 34 U.S.C. § 50901Crime Control and Law Enforcement · Confidentiality of peer support communications · in this section

the term “law enforcement officer” means—

(A) an employee, the duties of whose position—

(i) are primarily—

(I) the investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States, or

(II) the protection of officials of the United States against threats to personal safety; and

(ii) are sufficiently rigorous that employment opportunities should be limited to young and physically vigorous individuals, as determined by the Director considering the recommendations of the employing agency;

(B) an employee of the Department of the Interior or the Department of the Treasury (excluding any employee under subparagraph (A)) who occupies a position that, but for the enactment of the Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act of 1986, would be subject to the District of Columbia Police and Firefighters’ Retirement System, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of the Treasury, as appropriate;

(C) an employee who is transferred directly to a supervisory or administrative position after performing duties described in subparagraph (A) and (B) for at least 3 years; and

(D) an employee—

(i) of the Bureau of Prisons or Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated;

(ii) of the Public Health Service assigned to the field service of the Bureau of Prisons or of the Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated; or

(iii) in the field service at Army or Navy disciplinary barracks or at any other confinement and rehabilitation facility operated by any of the armed forces;

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2013–2020 5 U.S.C. § 8401Government Organization and Employees · Definitions · in this section

the term "law enforcement officer" means—

(A) an employee, the duties of whose position—

(i) are primarily—

(I) the investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States, or

(II) the protection of officials of the United States against threats to personal safety; and

(B) an employee of the Department of the Interior or the Department of the Treasury (excluding any employee under subparagraph (A)) who occupies a position that, but for the enactment of the Federal Employees' Retirement System Act of 1986, would be subject to the District of Columbia Police and Firefighters' Retirement System, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of the Treasury, as appropriate;

(C) an employee who is transferred directly to a supervisory or administrative position after performing duties described in subparagraph (A) and (B) for at least 3 years; and

(D) an employee—

(i) of the Bureau of Prisons or Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated;

(ii) of the Public Health Service assigned to the field service of the Bureau of Prisons or of the Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated; or

(iii) in the field service at Army or Navy disciplinary barracks or at any other confinement and rehabilitation facility operated by any of the armed forces;

whose duties in connection with individuals in detention suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States or of the District of Columbia or offenses against the punitive articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (chapter 47 of title 10) require frequent direct contact with these individuals in their detention and are sufficiently rigorous that employment opportunities should be limited to young and physically vigorous individuals, as determined by the head of the employing agency;

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1994–present 5 U.S.C. § 8401Government Organization and Employees · Definitions · in this section

the term “law enforcement officer” means a public servant authorized by law or by a government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of an offense.

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1994–present 18 U.S.C. § 3673Crimes and Criminal Procedure · Definitions for sentencing provisions · in this section

The term “law enforcement officer” means an employee, the duties of whose position are primarily the investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of a State, including an employee engaged in this activity who is transferred to a supervisory or administrative position. For the purpose of this subsection, “detention” includes the duties of employees assigned to guard individuals incarcerated in any penal institution.

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1994–present 29 U.S.C. § 630Labor · Definitions · for the purposes of this chapter

the term “law enforcement officer” means an officer or employee of the Federal Government, or a person authorized to act for or on behalf of the Federal Government or serving the Federal Government as an adviser or consultant—

(A) authorized under law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of an offense; or

(B) serving as a probation or pretrial services officer under this title;

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1994–present 18 U.S.C. § 1515Crimes and Criminal Procedure · Definitions for certain provisions; general provision · in this section

the term "law enforcement officer" means any current or former officer (including a correctional officer), agent, or employee of the United States, a State, Indian Tribe, or a political subdivision of a State authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of the criminal laws of the United States, a State, Indian Tribe, or a political subdivision of a State; and

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2020–present 34 U.S.C. § 50701Crime Control and Law Enforcement · Information on suicide in law enforcement · in this section

The term “law enforcement officer” means any employee described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 8401(17) of title 5 and any special agent in the Diplomatic Security Service of the Department of State.

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2012–present 28 U.S.C. § 1442Judiciary and Judicial Procedure · Federal officers or agencies sued or prosecuted · in this section

The term “law enforcement officer” means any officer or employee of the United States, any State, any political subdivision of a State, or the District of Columbia, while engaged in the enforcement or prosecution of any of the criminal laws of the United States, a State, any political subdivision of a State, or the District of Columbia; and such term shall specifically include members of the National Guard (as defined in section 101 of title 10), members of the organized militia of any State, or territory of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia not included within the National Guard (as defined in section 101 of title 10), and members of the Armed Forces of the United States, while engaged in suppressing acts of violence or restoring law and order during a civil disorder.

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1994–present 18 U.S.C. § 232Crimes and Criminal Procedure · Definitions · for purposes of this chapter

the terms "chaplain", "firefighter", "law enforcement officer", "member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew", and "public agency" have the meanings given such terms in section 10284 of title 34;

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2017–present 2 U.S.C. § 1881The Congress · Definitions · in this subchapter

the terms "chaplain", "firefighter", "law enforcement officer", "member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew", and "public agency" have the meanings given such terms in section 3796b of title 42;

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2016–2017 2 U.S.C. § 1881The Congress · Definitions · in this subchapter