PROBLEMS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS ARE IDENTIFIED, AND PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE INEFFECTIVENESS AND COSTLINESS OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS UNDER THE EXISTING SYSTEM. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXEMPLIFIED IN A CASE STUDY INVOLVING A MURDER INVESTIGATION IN OAKLAND COUNTY, MICH. FRAGMENTATION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IS DISCUSSED, AND ARGUMENTS FOR CONSOLIDATING POLICE DEPARTMENTS OR SERVICES ARE SUMMARIZED. DIRECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE IN THE AREAS OF POLICE LEADERSHIP, AGENCY ROLES, AND CONTRACT POLICING ARE SUGGESTED. THE HISTORY AND FUTURE OF THE COUNTY SHERIFF'S ROLE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE DISCUSSED AT LENGTH. THE SHERIFF IS VIEWED AS THE ELECTED REPRESTATIVE OF THE PEOPLE; THE COORDINATOR OF LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS; AND THE PROVIDER OF SUPPORT SERVICES TO LOCAL POLICE. IN SUCH A MULTIPURPOSE ROLE, THE COUNTY SHERIFF WOULD BECOME THE CENTRAL FIGURE IN A LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM THAT COULD OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE CONSOLIDATION OF LOCAL AGENCIES. A PLAN FOR DELIVERING COUNTY-BASED SUPPORT SERVICES TO LOCAL POLICE AGENCIES IN OAKLAND COUNTY IS APPENDED. (LKM)