The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the Nation's premier law enforcement organisation responsible for gathering and reporting facts and compiling evidence in cases involving federal jurisdiction. It has broad jurisdiction in federal law enforcement and in national security, and is a statutory member of the US Intelligence Community. From its official inception in 1908, the FBI's mission, jurisdiction, and resources have grown substantially in parallel with the real or perceived threats to American society, culture, political institutions, and overall security. In 2003 the organisation has approximately 26,000 employees, about 12,000 of whom are Special Agents. The FBI has had many successes in countering criminal and hostile foreign intelligence and terrorist activity in its storied history. However, in its zeal to protect US national security, the FBI occasionally exceeded its mandate and infringed upon the protected rights of US citizens. Currently, the FBI is undergoing a massive reorganisation to shift its culture from reaction to crimes already committed to detection, deterrence and prevention of terrorist attacks against US interests. The FBI continues to be a major domestic and international force in the war against terrorism. This new book covers such issues as: Can the FBI sufficiently adapt its law enforcement culture to deter, detect, and prevent terrorism; Should some of the FBI's criminal jurisdiction be devolved to state and local law enforcement; Should a statutory charter for the FBI be developed; and Does the planned co-location of the FBI's operational Counterterrorism Division with the newly formed Terrorist Threat Integration Center provide an opportunity for foreign intelligence entities to engage in domestic intelligence activities. CONTENTS: Preface; The FBI: Past, Present and Future; FBI Intelligence Reform since September 11, 2001; Index.

Examines six controversial essays that debate the issue of the Patriot Act, and includes model essays, sidebar notes and guided exercises.