Fbi Agent Essay Research Paper Do you

Fbi Agent Essay, Research Paper

Do you see yourself as Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) tracking Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) in Silence of the Lambs. Do you want to fight for truth, justice, and the American way on American soil. FBI agents investigate people suspected of violating federal law, including serial killers, kidnappers, bank robbers, bombers, and perpetrators of mail fraud. Strong deductive skills, flexibility, and irreproachable moral character are key traits for those who want to succeed in the FBI. The sensitive nature of the work requires a person with sound judgment and discretion. (FBI Agent)

Each day brings something different,” says Kleinpaste. “Working for the FBI is rewarding, challenging, and very unpredictable. You can be sitting at your desk one moment, then a bank robbery occurs and everyone leaps into action.” As a Special Agent for a small U.S.-based office since 1998 (Bureau security regulations forbid us from naming her exact location or revealing excessive biographical data), Kleinpaste is primarily assigned to investigate white-collar crimes such as bank fraud, cyber crime, or mail fraud. But when a “reactive” crime like a kidnapping or political terrorism occurs within the jurisdiction of her office, “The entire office gets involved, including me.” (Never A Dull Moment)

As the primary legal investigative arm of the U.S. Government, the FBI is charged with the protection and enforcement of the U.S. Constitution and over 260 federal statutes. Because the Bureau works closely with state and local law enforcement agencies in investigating legal matters of joint interest, good interpersonal communication and writing skills are essential for Special Agents. “Whether you’re interrogating a suspect, gathering evidence, or coordinating efforts for an upcoming trial, you’ve got to call upon an extensive range of capabilities to complete everyday operations,” says Kleinpaste. (Never A Dull Moment)

National security is the responsibility of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI. That means FBI agents have a wide field of endeavors, from tracking big-time criminals to sitting behind a desk conducting hours of research. The FBI investigates white-collar crime, organized crime and drugs, violent crimes and civil rights violations. But it’s also the FBI’s responsibility to gather foreign counterintelligence and investigate terrorist activities that affect the security of the U.S. “Terrorism has become extremely important to the FBI,” confirms Don Berecz. He is an FBI special agent in Springfield, Illinois. The FBI gathers security intelligence for the U.S. government. This information is used to help government decision-makers develop policy, and also allows FBI agents to catch criminals and deal with them appropriately. For example, the FBI has a special section dedicated to helping find drug dealers. Typically, national security agents analyze information from a number of sources, including the media, to get the story behind the story. Spying may not be everything you imagine. For one thing, national security agents don’t wear trench coats and fedoras. “We generally look and dress like every other professional worker in America,” says Roger Jonus. He is an FBI agent in Washington, D.C. Often, agents use covert and intrusive methods, such as electronic surveillance and the recruitment of spies, to get the information they want. But strict laws govern when and how undercover intelligence measures can be used. Electronic surveillance, mail opening and covert searches require a warrant from a judge. FBI officers typically work a 40-hour week, Monday through Friday. Certain cases may require evening and weekend work. “It’s not routine work at all. You have to respond to situations quickly, and no case is the same as the last one,” says Jonus. Historically, the FBI has looked for attorneys and accountants who can help muddle through the maze of paperwork surrounding white-collar crimes. These days, the FBI is also looking for computer scientists, engineers and people who can speak foreign languages. “It’s a very good career for young ladies,” says special agent Dawn Moritz. “Over 10 percent of agents are now women.” (Career Information)

There are several character traits necessary to be an effective FBI agent, according to Mike. He lists the following: “Honesty, integrity, fidelity and bravery.” As FBI agents are frequently placed in dangerous positions, such as in undercover work, bravery is obviously a highly desirable quality to the recruiters. The other three character traits mentioned above all go towards the moral aspects of the job — not pursuing the alleged criminals out of spite or vengeance, but in pursuit of the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. You are on call around the clock and required to work 50 hours a week, but Mike says that it’s not difficult to come up with that many hours. No two days are the same. When you’re working at other places, you look at the clock and say to yourself, ‘It’s only two o’clock.’ Here, you look at the clock and say to yourself, ‘My gosh, it’s already 5 o’clock.’ It’s the best job I’ve ever had.” (Career Interview)

The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) has a category entitled police and detectives. In 1998, there were 764,000 people employed in this field. There were 70 criminal investigators working in the Mountain State in 1998. That’s according to