Are my rights different under Federal Police?
I've recently noticed several Department of Homeland Security vehicles in my hometown that look like police cars (lights, badge, etc). On the side of the car it says "Federal Police". Does anyone know if our rights are any different when dealing with a "Federal Police" officer than with the local city, county, or state police? What is their jurisdiction? Since there is no local official who seems to manage them, who gives them their marching orders and who regulates them?
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You answered your own question. Federal is the key word. Federal mean jurisdiction in all US states and territories. They are regulated by the Federal Government. They do not get involved with local disputes or local police jurisdiction unless it spills over into Federal jurisdiction. However, if a felony is committed in thier presence they can arrest and the turn the offender over the local/state authorities. Make no difference they are still police officers and should be treated as such.
Your rights as a citizen are universal regardless of the officer or policing body in question.
But federal officers (assuming they are FBI agents) jurisdiction varies based on what headquarters they are based off of. For instance, if you lived in North Carolina, all federal investigative matters would be conducted by officers based out of or at least under the orders of the Charlotte, NC FBI Headquarters.
Federal Officers get their marching orders the same way local state and county officers do too though. Same basic chain of command infrastructure.
On a related note, however, effective Oct. 1, FBI Agents procedures will be overhauled.
I don't believe that there is a sibgle agency known as The Federal Police. You've got DHS, FBI and the US Marshals and god knows how many others. Different agencies will ahve different areas of jurosdiction - but the real kicker is what the law provides. Depending on a set of facts, you can get passed from one agency to the other, but the punishment or investigation will depend on what laws you are alleged to have broken.
Chain of command depends on what agency you're talking about - generally it will be the justice department or Homeland Security.
Federal take on more complex matters that involve social or public safety. Most often they work with the local police. But they rarely take over the jurisdiction. Really, they most often just help when needed but they can get involved in cases of high crime as well.
Why are you nervous? They are probably there for a reason that you aren't involved in. Or were you just curious?