Federal Bureau of Investigation

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from FBI)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is an agency of the US government that investigates crime across the country. It is dedicated to national security and to law enforcement and often fights terrorism.[1]

Federal Bureau of Investigation
Abbreviation FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation's seal
FBI special agent badge
Flag of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Motto Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity
Agency Overview
Formed 1908 (as the Bureau of Investigation), July 26
Employees 35,000[2]
Annual Budget US$9,748,829,000 (FY 2021)[3]
Legal personality Governmental agency
Jurisdictional Structure
Federal agency United States
General nature
Operational Structure
Headquarters J. Edgar Hoover Building
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Agency executives
Parent agency Department of Justice
Office of the Director of National Intelligence
Website
fbi.gov

The Bureau of Investigation was founded in 1908 and was renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 1935.[4][5] J. Edgar Hoover was the Director of the Bureau from 1924 to his death, in 1972.[6][7] Although the FBI works worldwide, its headquarters are in Washington DC. It has 56 main offices in cities throughout the United States.

Mission and priorities[change | change source]

The FBI's mission is to protect the US and maintain justice. They do this in many ways:

  • They protect the United States from terrorist attacks.
  • They protect the United States against foreign intelligence operations and espionage.
  • They protect the United States against cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes like hacking.
  • They protect civil rights.
  • They combat all national and international criminal organizations.
  • They combat major white-collar crime and fraud.
  • They combat important violent crime.
  • They also support international partners.

Organization[change | change source]

Organizational structure[change | change source]

The FBI is organized into branches and the Office of the Director. This office contains most administrative offices. An executive assistant director manages each branch. Each branch is then divided into offices and divisions. Each division is headed by an assistant director. The various divisions are further divided into sub-branches. Each sub-branch is led by deputy assistant directors. Within these sub-branches there are various sections headed by section chiefs. Section chiefs are ranked analogous to special agents in charge.

Four of the branches report to the deputy director while two report to the associate director. The functions branches of the FBI are:

FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit[change | change source]

The FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit (FCNU) is a 24/7 operational response to crisis and to negotiate person(s) who are threatening to commit suicide or other harmful situations after a crime has been committed. The FBI's lead negotiator contacts the person(s) involved, with a hard-wire phone line to communicate with the person(s) to try convincing them to give themselves up to local police who are on stand-by.

References[change | change source]

  1. Clare Kim (January 6, 2014). "FBI drops 'law enforcement' from its mission statement". MSNBC. NBC Universal.
  2. "About: How many people work for the FBI?". fbi.gov.
  3. "FY 2021 Authorization And Budget Request to Congress". United States Justice Department. February 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  4. Weiner, Tim 2012. Enemies: a history of the FBI. Random House. ISBN 978-1-4000-6748-0.
  5. Unger, Sanford J. 1975 FBI: an uncensored look behind the walls. Boston: Little, Brown. ISBN 0-316-88744-7
  6. Gentry, Curt 1991. J. Edgar Hoover: the man and the secrets. Plume. ISBN 0-452-26904-0
  7. Summers, Anthony 2003. Official and confidential: the secret life of J. Edgar Hoover. New York: Putnam. ISBN 0-399-13800-5