The police are law enforcement officers who usually take an oath (make a promise) to protect and serve their communities. Police officers—or collectively, police departments—enforce laws, investigate potential crimes, and make arrests.
In California, police officers are sworn law enforcement officials who take an oath to uphold the Constitution and enforce the laws of the state and the locality they serve. Their primary responsibilities include protecting the lives and property of residents, preventing crime, pursuing and apprehending individuals who break the law, and maintaining public order. Police departments are structured to provide various services such as patrolling neighborhoods, responding to emergency calls, conducting criminal investigations, and engaging in community policing efforts. California law enforcement agencies operate under the California Penal Code, as well as other state statutes and local ordinances, and are subject to oversight by various entities, including internal affairs divisions, civilian review boards, and the California Department of Justice.