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Federal Bureau of Investigation facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
FBISeal
The seal of the FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is an agency of the United States Government. It investigates crime across the country. It is dedicated to national security and law enforcement. The Bureau of Investigation was founded in 1908. It was renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI for short, in 1935. J. Edgar Hoover was the Director of the Bureau from its start, and continued as Director of the FBI until his death in 1972. Although the FBI work worldwide, their headquarters is in Washington DC. They have 56 main offices in cities throughout the United States.

Mission and priorities

Fbi mobile command center 2
FBI Mobile Command Center, Washington Field Office

The FBI's mission is to protect the USA 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

Organizational structure

FBI organizational chart - 2014
Organization chart for the FBI as of July 15, 2014

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 Intelligence Branch
  • FBI National Security Branch
  • FBI Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch
  • FBI Science and Technology Branch
  • FBI Information and Technology Branch
  • FBI Human Resources Branch

FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit

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.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: FBI para niños

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