What is a task force officer?

Task Force Officers (TFOs) are law enforcement officers who are assigned to work with federal, state, or multi-jurisdictional task forces. Their primary role is to collaborate on investigations that require resources or expertise beyond a single agency, such as drug enforcement, counterterrorism, or gang suppression. TFOs maintain their original agency's authority but are granted certain federal powers and access to additional resources while serving on the task force. This joint approach helps agencies tackle complex crimes more effectively. Task Force Officers often receive specialized training and work closely with officers from other jurisdictions.