Federal law enforcement

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the principal investigative agency of the federal government of the United States. Established in 1908 as the Bureau of Investigation, it was renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1935. The FBI is a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community and reports to both the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence[2][3]. Mission and Responsibilities The FBI's mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States. Its primary responsibilities include: - Protecting the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats - Enforcing the criminal laws of the United States - Providing leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners - Conducting investigations in cases where federal laws may have been violated Major Priorities The FBI's major priorities include: - Protecting the United States from terrorist attacks - Combating foreign intelligence, espionage, and cyber operations - Addressing cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes - Fighting public corruption - Protecting civil rights - Combating transnational criminal enterprises and significant white-collar and violent crimes Operational Structure - Headquarters: J. Edgar Hoover Building, Washington, D.C. - Field Offices: 56 field offices in major cities and over 400 resident agencies in smaller cities and areas across the nation - International Presence: 60 Legal Attache (LEGAT) offices and 15 sub-offices in U.S. embassies and consulates globally[2][4][5] Legal Authority The FBI's mandate is established in Title 28 of the United States Code, Section 533, which authorizes the Attorney General to appoint officials to detect and prosecute crimes against the United States. The FBI also has authority under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and the USA PATRIOT Act, among other federal statutes[2][3]. Key Functions - Intelligence and Counterintelligence: The FBI is responsible for gathering, analyzing, and assessing information and intelligence related to planned or committed criminal acts. - Criminal Investigations: The FBI investigates violations of federal laws, including cyber crimes, public corruption, and civil rights violations. - National Security: The FBI plays a critical role in protecting the nation's critical infrastructure from physical and cyber-attacks. - Training and Support: The FBI operates a national academy to train special agents and provides support to other law enforcement agencies through its various divisions and programs[1][3][5]. Notable Programs and Initiatives - Uniform Crime Reporting Program: The FBI annually publishes a comprehensive summary of criminal activity in the United States. - Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List: Established in 1950, this list publicizes the FBI's most wanted fugitives. - COINTELPRO: A counterintelligence program aimed at disrupting and discrediting subversive groups, officially discontinued in 1971[3]. Leadership and Personnel - Director: Appointed by the U.S. President and confirmed by the Senate for a term not to exceed 10 years. - Employees: Approximately 35,000 people, including special agents and support professionals such as intelligence analysts, language specialists, scientists, and information technology specialists[2][4]. The FBI is a critical component of the U.S. law enforcement and national security apparatus, working closely with other federal agencies and international partners to address a wide range of threats and crimes. Sources: - [1] www.justice.gov - [2] en.wikipedia.org - [3] www.britannica.com - [4] www.fbi.gov - [5] www.justice.gov

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