Agency cooperation is key to ensure that a suspect who has committed crimes in multiple jurisdictions is captured. Not all federal or state agencies are alike. For example, whenever there is dual involvement, one agency will take on the primary role while the other takes secondary. In cases where it is a federal and state crime, the federal government will get the first crack at the suspect, and the state will follow, if double jeopardy is not attached.
discuss the importance of agency cooperation and what can transpire if the two do not agree. Students should be able to provide some examples of cooperation and no cooperation between agencies.
- Visit the university library, and research interagency cooperation in law enforcement.
- Identify some law enforcement agencies that have collaborated with success.
- Address ways in which a lack of cooperation can hamper a case before going to trial.