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 North Dakota, as in other states, police officers are sworn law enforcement officials who have taken an oath to protect and serve the public. Their primary responsibilities include enforcing state and local laws, investigating crimes, and apprehending individuals suspected of committing offenses. Police departments operate at various levels, including city, county, and state, and are governed by a combination of state statutes and local ordinances. The North Dakota Century Code outlines the general powers and duties of peace officers, including the authority to make arrests, conduct searches and seizures, and maintain public order. Additionally, police officers must adhere to constitutional protections, such as those found in the Fourth Amendment, which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the Fifth and Sixth Amendments, which ensure due process and fair treatment during criminal proceedings.