Inside the labyrinth of mysterious secrets and conspiracies, are truths that are being uncovered vigilantly. The only team in the United States with the brain and the brawn to do this is the FBI. The team’s success is made possible by its members who are carefully picked out to ensure that creative and sharp minds fill the team’s spots. In the world of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the pursuit of justice is ongoing. Since the time the FBI was formed, they have been very diligent with their work, keeping it as confidential as they can get. The FBI has grown exponentially in its importance with the amount of crime going up, they are the dominant task force taking down notorious criminals. This paper will reveal to you the historical background of the FBI, their functioning capabilities, and an overview of a few of their achievements.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has many powers and responsibilities that trump ones all across the United States. The FBI has the power to conduct professional investigations and collect information to maintain and control threats from expanding. According to Justice.gov, the FBI locates and apprehends fugitives who have violated specific federal laws, investigates violations of laws, and collects evidence to assist in court decisions. These are only a few of the duties that encapsulate the responsibility to be in the FBI, but how can the FBI be notified and told how to deal with these threats? Well, the FBI is able to operate through a network of different state agencies across the country. Each state agency has jurisdiction over its own geographical area while the FBI does not. According to howstuffworks.com, if these state agencies do not have certain powers, or the crime is too large for them to handle then the FBI will be called to them. Depending on the issue, different specialized forces can help to rescue hostages, analyze forensic data, combat major cyber threats, and can also help in negotiation. So, the FBI’s main mission is to protect and defend the United States from many threats.
To start, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was assembled on July 26, 1908, but the idea for this group started months before. The Department of Justice was made in 1870, well before the FBI, but it was way less accomplished. Their job was to enforce federal law but it had no permanent investigators. This made the department hire private investors or take workers from the Secret Service when dealing with federal crimes. According to FBI.gov, a bill was put in place called the Sundry Civil Service Bill, which stated that members of the Secret Service could not accept tasks from any other department than the Treasury. Taking workers from their jobs was not going to last long so an idea was needed to create a secret federal task force. Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte assigned the Department of Justice their own special agency force. He wanted this group to have a rigid structure so he took many employees from other departments, mainly the Secret Service. This group of agents became the first ever FBI, but they were only officialized when Attorney General Bonaparte told the new agent task force to report to Chief Examiner Stanley W. Finch. The authorization of this agency can be seen in Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte’s memo explaining that Chief Examiner Finch would gain leadership of the FBI.
Finally, the FBI is one of the most influential groups in the government that combat crime and investigate threats. They have achieved many great things. To start is the Kansas City Massacre that took place on June 17, 1933. According to FBI.gov, A gang opened fire on a group of officers who were transporting a convict to prison. The gang managed to kill four government law officials, therefore calling it a massacre. The FBI website also explains how after the massacre, special agents were permitted to make their own arrests and carry weapons with them everywhere. Another major threat that the FBI had to investigate was the 9/11 bombings. On September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked. This event led to the greatest amount of investigation ever recorded in the FBI’s history. FBI.gov also goes to explain that they have stopped multiple terrorist attacks before, but the circumstances of 9/11 showed them that there was immense room for improvement. Key things that they learned that day were to become more aware of the future and to learn how to predict things better. Many departments after this disaster began strengthening and developing their intelligence.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has assisted the United States of America numerous times, saving the lives of many and keeping the government safe from international threats. It is an organization that stands for justice, resilience, and adaptability. As the rate of crime is going up, the need for the FBI is also growing. They have been and still are servicing people, places, and organizations in need since the 1910s. The FBI continues to evolve in response to any threat or challenge. The organization’s legacy of determination and leadership ensures that the nation’s security and each US citizen’s rights are protected.
Timeline made with Information from www.fbi.gov/history/timeline
Sources:
FBI.gov. (n.d.). The Nation Calls, 1908 - 1923 — FBI. FBI. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://www.fbi.gov/history/brief-history/the-nation-calls
FBI.gov. (n.d.). History of FBI. Timeline. Retrieved June 21, 2024, from https://www.fbi.gov/history/timeline
Grabianowski, E., Donovan, J., & Porrello's, R. (2006, May 22). How the FBI Works | HowStuffWorks. People | HowStuffWorks. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://people.howstuffworks.com/fbi.htm
Archives.fbi.gov. (2008, July 18). FBI — FBI 100 - Top 10 Moments. FBI. Retrieved June 21, 2024, from https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2008/july/moments_071808
Justice.gov. (n.d.). DOJ: JMD: MPS: Functions Manual: Federal Bureau of Investigation. Department of Justice. Retrieved June 21, 2024, from https://www.justice.gov/archive/jmd/mps/2009omf/manual/fbi.htm