American police work is no longer confined to just the physical boundaries of the United States. In the 21st century, business is globalizing — and crime is big business. Domestic law enforcement agencies must partner with crime bureaus overseas not only to catch criminals already in the United States, but also to interrupt international crime operations and stop crime and terrorists from coming here in the first place.

The World Beat surveys police involvement in combating various forms of international crime:

In 1971, President Richard Nixon declared drug abuse "Public Enemy #1." Two years later, he established the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to stay on top of drug smuggling into the US and combat domestic drug production. Learn about the DEA and how they partnered with the State Department to fight cocaine production in 12 Latin American countries and worked with Canadian police to bust a major methamphetamine ring.

Even before September 11, 2001, America has been on watch against terrorism — foreign and domestic. As a result, increasing responsibilities have been placed on our frontline of defense: law enforcement officers. Take a look at how law enforcement was re-engineered after 9/11, with departments taking on new roles and working together more closely in coordination with the new Department of Homeland Security. A narrated video further illuminates the issue.

As technology proliferates, so does the ability to pirate intellectual property. Whether you download an unlicensed song or leak a new best-selling book or buy a "knock-off" consumer item, you are participating in piracy — and it's a crime. See how industry and law enforcement are working together to reign in piracy here and abroad.

Human trafficking is the transportation of illegal aliens across international borders to perform acts of prostitution or illegal labor — an unfortunate reality both here and abroad. Read the personal stories of officers assigned to human trafficking cases and learn about the impact this crime has on its victims, including death, trauma and psychological scarring.