Which of the following describes law enforcement functions in general?

• A. Deter criminals
• B. Detect criminals
• C. Apprehend criminals
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Law enforcement functions cover preventing crime, discovering it when it happens, and taking action to hold offenders accountable. Deterrence reduces crime by making it less attractive to commit offenses through visible policing, presence, and swift responses. Detection involves noticing that a crime has occurred, gathering evidence, and identifying suspects. Apprehension is the arrest and removal of those suspects from the street so they can face investigation and potential prosecution. These elements reinforce one another: strong deterrence lowers opportunities for crime, effective detection reveals who committed offenses, and timely apprehension ensures accountability within the justice system. Since all three aspects are part of how policing operates, describing law enforcement with all of the above is the best fit.