The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is one of the most prestigious and effective law enforcement agencies in the country. Working as the main investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice, the FBI is responsible for identifying and enforcing federal law across the entire country.
The FBI also collaborates with local law enforcement agencies in the areas of investigative research, managing the fingerprint database, performing laboratory examinations, and training small police forces, among many other duties. In essence, the FBI has the broadest set of responsibilities of all federal law enforcement agencies, and also has the most flexibility.
The following is a list of some of the FBI’s most common areas of investigation and enforcement, which describes the work involved in the FBI jobs that are found in Alabama:
- Civil Rights: The FBI has the responsibility to look up claims of civil rights abuses in centralized areas, especially if a law enforcement agency, like a city police force, has come under scrutiny for multiple accusations of civil rights abuses.
- Counterterrorism: Since 9/11, investigating possible terrorist suspects and deterring terrorist attacks has become one of the main priorities of the agency.
- Foreign Counterintelligence: To go along with investigation in domestic terrorism, FBI agents also contribute to finding out intelligence internationally.
- Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking: The FBI is responsible for investigation claims of organized crime and drug trafficking, which tend to go hand-in-hand.
- Violent Crime and Major Offenses: When crimes like mass shootings, hostage taking and other major crimes occur, the FBI is typically called in to assist local law enforcement in handling the crime.
- Financial Crime: When something like the economic meltdown happen, the FBI is typically the agency that investigates is there was any wrongdoing involved in the event.
FBI Offices in Alabama
The state of Alabama is home to two main FBI offices, and four satellite offices.
Birmingham is the main FBI headquarters in the state. The Birmingham division is made up of 8 squads that all have different skills and sets of expertise.
Mobile is the second field office in the state, which means it is another one of the major offices in Alabama. The Mobile team of agents is especially skilled in computer forensics, tactical support and response and bomb recovery, among other things.
Satellite Offices: Auburn, Dothan, Monroeville, Montgomery, Selma
FBI Requirements in Alabama
The question of “how to become an FBI agent” depends on which area of expertise you are trying to enter. All FBI agents must, first and foremost, be citizens of the United States of America or its territories. Agents must also be between the ages of 23 and 36, have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, have some professional work experience, and must be willing to travel constantly and relocate when necessary.