What are the basic purposes of policing in democratic societies? How are they co

The basic purposes of policing are to enforce and support laws, investigate crimes and apprehend offenders, prevent crime, help ensure domestic peace and tranquility, and provide the community with needed enforcement-related services. These purposes overlap in several ways. For example, police officers investigate crimes and apprehend offenders, which enforces and supports the laws of a society. However, these purposes can be inconsistent as well. In an effort to prevent crime, police officers might use overly aggressive patrol strategies, which could push the community away from the police, and the end result might be less domestic peace.