The criminal justice system consists of several government agencies whose work is to track, capture, and punish criminals. These agencies each have their roles, responsibilities, and jurisdictions which they operate. It is the reason why there are specific differentiations such as the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the New York Police Department, O.C Superior Court, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and so on. The current report focuses on the Federal Bureau of Investigation and asserts some of its core characteristics and roles in the criminal justice system field. The article divides into the agency description, jurisdiction’s authority and the scope of the responsibilities, the specific duties that are assigned to them, and the requirements of eligibility for anyone wishing to join the agency. AGENCY DESCRIPTIONThe FBI protects and defends the United States against threats from any terrorist and foreign intelligence, uphold and enforce criminal laws, and provide leadership and criminal justice services to the federal, state, municipal, and international agencies, and partners. Public safety is of core importance to the FBI. The agency’s headquarters are in Washington, DC. The location is strategic as it provides a centralized operational policy, which makes it easy to provide administrative support to FBI investigations. The core investigative and intelligence work is accomplished by 56 field officers situated in major U.S. cities and over 370 resident agencies, dubbed “RAs,” from all over the country. The RAs are satellite offices which are meant to give a feel that the FBI is concerned over the local community welfare. There are 64 Legal Attaché (Legat) offices, and 14 sub-offices in 67 countries across the globe (FBI n.p.). The core values of the FBI include rigorous obedience to the Constitution, respect for the U.S. citizens’ dignity, fairness, compassion, personal and professional dignity, non-compromise of individual and institutional integrity, and accountability (FBI Jobs 5). The current FBI Director is Christopher Wray, who has served as number eight in the position since August 2017 to present. Other senior staff include David Bowdich as the Deputy Directory, the Associate Deputy Director Paul Abbate, and Zachary Harmon who is the Chief of Staff (FBI Leadership & Structure n.p.). The office of the Director/Deputy Director/ Associate Deputy Directors has the following further divisions; finance and facilities, information management, inspection, the office of the Chief Information Officer, Congressional Affairs, EEO Affairs, General Counsel, Integrity and Compliance, Ombudsman, Professional Responsibility, Public Affairs, and Resource Planning. FBI JURISDICTION AND SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIESThe authority held by the FBI allows the agency tomake arrests for federal crimes committed. However, its jurisdiction and thatof federal officers may go beyond these functions in some cases.  For example, an FBI agent is allowed to makean arrest whenever they come across a crimebeing committed. Other instances includearresting individuals believed to have committed a crime, or in the process ofdoing so as long as there is irrefutable evidence that proves the officersclaim (Leopulsen.p.). The FBItypically work in conjunction with thelocal policies. Its investigative authority is nonetheless, the broadest of allfederal law enforcement agencies. Its strategic approach stresses long-term andcomplex investigations, which emphasize the close working relationships withother agencies from federal, state such as Interpol, foreign police and security officers in Washington,local, international law enforcement and intelligence agencies (Office of the United StatesAttorneys n.p.). The liaison andinformation sharing practices conducted between the FBI and any international law enforcement agencies is mediated by executive orders, laws,treaties, Attorney General Guidelines, FBI governing policies, and interagencyagreements (FBI International Operations n.p.). These guidelines allow forgreater uniformity and control for both national and international objectives. FBI FUNCTIONSAccording to the Office of the United StatesAttorneys, the FBI agency isdivided into seven programs that help it achieve its objectives. Theyinclude applicant matter, civil rights, counterterrorism, foreigncounterintelligence, organized crimes/drugs, violent crimes and major offenders, and financial crime(n.p.). These are the primaryresponsibilities of the FBI as dictated by the law. However, due to thedifferences in size, potential impacts or sensitivity of the individual cases,the scope of investigation may vary with extensive attention paid to crimesthat demand so. However, the scope of responsibility for the FBI is as followsaccording to FDIAgentEDU.org(n.p,) & Leopulse (n.p.):Terrorism. The Federal Bureau of Investigation identifies, investigates,disrupts, and arrests those with terrorist intentions (both domestic and international).This function is considered to be the most importantand requires the utilization of diverse and specializedskill sets. The terrorist group also detains and interrogates any knownterrorist groups or individuals on the U.S. soil Organized Crime. The function covers many kinds of well-structured,persistent, criminal enterprises such as the Italian Mafia, illegal gambling,and sports bribery. The agency is now capable of observing and recordingprominent organized crime activities in foreign countries to track associates. Aside from the Mafia, the FBI covers organizedcrime in the Balkans, the Middle East,Asia, Africa, Eurasia, and South America.Civil Rights. The FBI alsoprotects and upholds all civil rights ofthe U.S. citizens. It prevents the persecution of civil rights through suchactivities such as pursuing hate crimes cases, human trafficking, and so on.Alternatively, it protects the rights to accesspublic institutions such as libraries, schools, government offices, andhospitals.Public Corruption. The FBI also concerns itself with the protection of the public against publiccorruption that arises through scenarios such as election fraud, governmentbribery, and any other instances that would undermine the democracy that theU.S. champions. It operates as the watchdog to government operations, usingtechnology to oversee all transactions and behaviorsof public officials. White-Collar Crime. The FBI is at the forefront of preventing orfighting against white-collar crimes suchas mortgage fraud, money laundering, and securities fraud, antitrust, andintellectual property theft. Also related to such cases would include internetschemes, identity theft, or large-scale investing scams.Violent Crimes and Major Thefts. Gang members and online predators are part of the responsibility scope of theFBI. Property theft rings and bank robbers are also considered part of theviolent crimes and significant theftcategory and jurisdiction of the FBI. They work with local police and providethe relevant skills to control dangerous crimes. The agency also maintains adatabase of stolen artwork and those responsible for the theft.Cyber Crime. The FBI also searches for people that carry outcomputer attacks and intrusion. Offering protection for private information,internet fraud, and identity theft are part of the FBI’s scope ofresponsibilities. They carry these activities both offensively and defensively.REQUIREMENTS  The FBI employs severalpeople to fill in positions as field agents or professional staff, eachof which has different requirements for entry-level positions. However, to apply for any of the posts, one must fulfill thefollowing conditions;DisqualifiersAutomatic deselection of applied candidates will takeplace for individuals who are non-U.S. citizens, have a history of convictionfor a felony, violated the terms of theFBI Employment Drug Policy, defaulted student loans, or the failure to pass anFBI-administered drug test. Also, if one fails to register with the SelectiveService System, they stand to fact automatic disqualification. Although, thisrequirement only applies to the male candidates. Further, any activity orattempt to or is designed to overthrowthe U.S government by force is not treatedkindly. Other conditions include the failure to pay child support or failing to file federal, state, or local incometax returns (FBI Jobs 12).EmploymentDrug Policy The FBI prides itself onbeing a drug-free society and workplace and does not hire applicants whocurrently use illegal drugs, misuse orabuse drugs or any other substances. Another instance of disqualificationoccurs when the candidate is believed (with proof) to have misrepresented theirdrug history relative to their application. Candidates may not have usedmarijuana for three years preceding their application, and medical forms cannotbe used as mitigating factors whatsoever.The use of illegal drugs requires the candidates to be clean for more than tenyears before their FBI application. In addition to this, they should not havebeen involved in the manufacture, distribution, transportation, or sold illegaldrugs without a permit. The same case applies for prescription drugs such asanabolic steroids (FBI Jobs 13). BackgroundInvestigationCandidates must receive the FBI Top Secret SecurityClearance after completion of the FBI Background Investigation. The IntensiveBackground Investigation follows, and once proceeds forward with employmentafter passing. Preliminary requirements include the use of the polygraphexamination, illegal drug use test, credit and records checks, and extensiveinterviews with people close to the candidate such as former and currentcolleagues, neighbors, professors, andfriends (FBI Jobs 14). OtherQualificationsCandidates must possess at least a degree before applying for an FBI entry job position.If the applicant provides a degree not obtained from an accredited universityor college in the United States, then it must be of equivalent certification atthe time of the application. Advanced degrees may take precedence over aforeign bachelor’s degree. The agency tests both physical and mental skills.All FBI personnel must exhibit leadership, collaboration, organization,planning, problem solving and judgment, flexibility or adaptability,initiative, and communication. These must be evidenced in the application,providing evidence as to how each of these competenciesare demonstrated. In addition to these,the candidate must score high on intelligence, self-discipline, and mentalstability. Another condition is that one must have been successfully employed in a full-time professional work settingwith three years’ experience and with a 6-month valid driver’s license. The ageshould not exceed 36 before the fullappointment (FBIJobs 18). Works CitedFBI Jobs. “EmploymentEligibility.” Department of Justice, https://www.fbijobs.gov/working-at-fbi/eligibilityFBI Jobs.“Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Selection Process CandidateInformation Packet.” Department of Justice, 2017,www.fbijobs.gov/sites/default/files/Special_Agent_Candidate_Information_Packet.pdf.FBI.“Federal Bureau of Investigations Summary.” Department of Justice, 2013,www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/jmd/legacy/2013/10/08/fy13-fbi-bud-summary.pdf. FDIAgentEDU.org.“Examples of the FBI’s Jurisdiction.” How to Become an FBI Agent? 2014 https://www.fbiagentedu.org/2014/06/examples-of-the-fbis-jurisdiction/FederalBureau of Investigations. “International Operations.” FBI, FBI, 14 June2016, www.fbi.gov/about/leadership-and-structure/international-operations. FederalBureau of Investigations. “Leadership & Structure.” FBI, FBI, 14July 2016, www.fbi.gov/about/leadership-and-structure. Leopulse.“FBI Jurisdiction & Investigative Priorities.” Drug EnforcementAdministration’s Jurisdiction & Investigative Priorities – LEO Pulse,2018, www.leopulse.com/research/federal/fbi/jurisdiction-investigations. Officeof the United States Attorneys. “9. A FBIOrganizational Structure and Investigative Jurisdiction.” The United StatesDepartment of Justice, 18 Dec. 2015, https://www.justice.gov/usam/organization-and-functions-manual-9-fbi-organizational-structure-and-investigative-jurisdictionGet Help With Your EssayIf you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help!Find out more