Information on the F.B.I.
An agency of the United States Department of
Justice, the F.B.I. serves as
both a federal criminal investigative agency, and an internal intelligence agancy. With
jurisdiction over more than 200 categories of federal crime it serves as one of the most
impactful departments of crime deterance in the United States.
The motto "Fidelity,
Bravery, Integrity", corresponds to the initials of the F.B.I. acronym. The agency headquarters is the J. Edgar Hoover
Building located in Washington, D.C. with more than fifty field offices in major cities
throughout the United States. Including more than 400 resident agencies in smaller cities
across the country and more than fifty international offices in U.S. foreign embassies worldwide.
Originally established in 1908 under the name Bureau of Investigation, it's
name was changed to the current Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1935. With the
primary goal of protecting and defending the United States against terrorist & foreign
intelligence threats, to enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and provide services
to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies. Which now employs thousands of
professional agents worldwide under an annual budget that reaches well into the
billions.
The original FBI mandate is established in Title 28 of the U.S. Code, Section 533, giving the Attorney General authority
to "appoint officials to detect crimes against the United States." With other federal statutes
issuing authority and responsibility to investigate specific crimes.
The world renowned FBI Academy located in Quantico, Virginia, seen in countless
hollywood depictions for movies and television also houses the communications and computer
laboratory of the bureau using the latest technology and techniques. This combination helps
provide superior training and experience for new agents taking the rigorous 21 week course
required of every potential Special Agent. The facilities also provide training for
state & local law enforcement agencies invited for special training opportunities.
- FBI Units at Quantico
- Field & Police Training
Unit
- Forensic Science Research & Training Center
- Technology Services
Unit
- Investigative Training Unit
- Law Enforcement Communication
Unit
- Leadership & Management Science Units
- Physical Training
Unit
- New Agents Training Unit
- Practical Applications Unit
- Investigative
Computer Training Unit
Tip:
You can obtain a copy of your own FBI files, on anyone who gives you permission on theirs, or anyone
deceased, through the Freedom of Information Act. Which means you can see what is in your
personal file, or research interesting celebrities from Elvis Presley to Jack the Ripper. To
get started, click here for more information.
The FBI works in close
cooperation with other Federal agencies including Customs & Border Protection,
National Transportation Safety Board, Immigration & Customs Enforcement,
and the U.S. Coast Guard. The organization of
the Bureau is broken into five functional branches plus the Office of the Director. Every
branch is managed by an Executive Assistant Director with each office and division of each
branch managed by an Assistant Director.
Overview of organization
- Office of the
Director
- National Security Branch
- Criminal, Cyber, Response,
and Services
Branch - Human Resources Branch
- Science and Technology Branch
- Information
and Technology Branch