This is the 442nd most frequent Spanish word.
federal
Relating to a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent regions or states.
Here, 'federal' is used to describe the jurisdiction of a national police force, emphasizing its national rather than regional scope.
La policía federal investiga los delitos que trascienden las fronteras estatales.
The federal police investigate crimes that transcend state borders.
In this case, 'federal' refers to employment directly related to the central national government.
Los empleos en el gobierno federal suelen ofrecer beneficios significativos.
Jobs in the federal government often offer significant benefits.
In this sentence, 'federal' is used as an adjective meaning 'related to a federal form of government'.