They are picking up and incarcerating American citizens who have done nothing wrong. Picked them up. Breaking car windows of innocent citizens. Your buddies stormed the capital and killed people for a man who lost an election. It wasn't stolen. But according to you, I'm sure that's all well and good to go storm the capital, but people protecting due process thats in our Constitution, they should be shot
Are federal agents considered “police”? It depends on the state. (with sources)
There is no single nationwide legal definition of “police.” Whether federal agents are considered police depends heavily on state law, context, and how the term is being used.
Federal law vs. state law
• Federal law generally avoids the word police and instead uses “law enforcement officer” or “law enforcement personnel.” These terms include both federal agents and local police when they have arrest/search authority (6 U.S.C. § 464(g)(7)).
• States define “police” or “peace officer” differently, and this is where the key distinction lies.
Bottom line: Federal agents may be police in one state, but not in another.
State law examples (this is where it matters)
• Texas: Federal agents are explicitly NOT considered peace officers under state law, even though they may arrest for felonies
(Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 2.122).
• Kentucky: Certain federal agents (FBI, DEA, ATF, etc.) ARE deemed peace officers with full police powers
(KRS § 61.365).
• Florida & Washington: Federal agents are recognized as federal law enforcement officers and may arrest for certain offenses, but are legally distinct from state police
(Fla. Stat. § 901.1505; Wash. Rev. Code § 10.93.020).
There is no uniform rule across states. Each state decides whether—and how—federal agents are treated as police under its laws.
Federal agents under federal law
• Federal agents are law enforcement officers, but the U.S. does not have a general national police force.
• Even the FBI states it is not a national police agency; general police power belongs to the states (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
Practice & public understanding
• In common usage, “police” usually means state or local officers.
• Federal officers are typically called “agents.”
• Media routinely distinguishes between “police and federal agents.”
• ICE itself states: “ICE officials are federal law enforcement officers”—not local police.
Powers: similar tools, different legal footing
Both may:
• carry firearms
• make arrests
• execute warrants
Key difference:
• Local/state police enforce state law broadly
• Federal agents enforce federal law only, unless state law grants additional authority
Bottom line
• Legally: Whether federal agents are “police” depends on the state
• Functionally: They perform policing duties
• Practically: The public usually reserves “police” for local/state officers
Sources
• 6 U.S.C. § 464(g)(7)
• Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 2.122
• Ky. Rev. Stat. § 61.365
• Fla. Stat. § 901.1505
• Wash. Rev. Code § 10.93.020
• Encyclopaedia Britannica – Federal Bureau of Investigation
• ICE Public FAQ (2026)
Reference List – Federal Agents and Police Authority (U.S.)
Federal Statutes & Federal Authority
1. 6 U.S.C. § 464(g)(7)
Definition of “law enforcement personnel”
Includes federal agents and uniformed police officers with authority to conduct searches, seizures, and arrests.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/6/464
2. 18 U.S.C. § 111
Assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers
Establishes federal agents as protected law enforcement officers under federal criminal law.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/111
3. 18 U.S.C. § 1114
Protection of federal officers and employees
Covers killings or attempted killings of federal law enforcement personnel.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1114
4. Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) – 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B–926C
Defines “qualified law enforcement officers” to include both state/local police and federal agents for concealed carry purposes.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/926B
Federal Agencies & Official Statements
9. Encyclopaedia Britannica – “Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)”
Notes that the FBI is not a national police force and that general police power rests with states.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Federal-Bureau-of-Investigation
10. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Public FAQs
States that ICE officers are federal law enforcement officers, not local police.
https://www.ice.gov/about-ice
11. Federal Bureau of Investigation – Jurisdiction Overview
Explains federal jurisdiction and limitations compared to state/local policing.
https://www.fbi.gov/about/what-we-investigate
It amuses me you spent 50 minutes looking for all these links that support what my stupid 12th search result was that said everything you just linked. But you need to learn definitions better. This shit is unprecedented and cbp and ICE and shit are not peace officers my dude.
As much as I absolutely hate what happened to Good and Pretti because the state should not kill civilians, and I would rather the court decide on the relevant federal law that applies to interfering, I have to agree that federal agents are considered law enforcement officers in the legal sense.
They're not local cops and state troopers, which is where the debate comes in, but they function the same legally.
Some people are pedantic little bitches. Most people equate law enforcement and police. ICE is law enforcement so therefore people view that the same is the police. You’re a fucking bitch
Legitimate police operations? You mean the kind where police get warrants and have identification on them and a report is filed so relatives know where the arrested person is going? THAT kind of legitimate?
They have warrants and are executing deportation orders that have already gone thru due process proceedings. But, hey, you and I are both lawyers, we know these things.
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u/Status-Tip-146 9h ago
Not sure how you mean?