One of the key challenges of writing crime fiction is getting your facts straight. While every story requires artistic liberties, such as cutting the duller moments of a cop’s job (i.e. the paperwork), readers in this genre expect that authors understand the most important details of crime and law enforcement.

Many amateur authors make the mistake of using the wrong agencies in their stories. For instance, having the FBI investigate a local murder, which would actually be the jurisdiction of local authorities. Or having ATF chase a fugitive with a drug charge. The U.S. Marshals apprehend wanted fugitives, and the DEA is the federal agency created to fight the war on drugs.

In this article, I’ll give you a rundown of the most commonly referenced federal law enforcement agencies so you can get it right.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The FBI is a popular choice for crime writers, especially in the serial killer thriller sub-genre. If you’re writing about the Bureau, here’s what you need to know:

It is the principal federal law enforcement agency of the United States. The Bureau operates under the jurisdiction of the US Department of Justice and reports to the US Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence.
It does NOT work local cases, which fall to state, municipal, and county departments.
Its wide variety of duties encompass national security and criminal investigation responsibilities that include: anti-terrorism operations, defending the US from foreign intelligence, stopping cyber attacks and crimes, combating corruption, defending civil rights, fighting national and transnational criminal organizations (such as the infamous LCN), combating white-collar crime, and supporting law enforcement partners (such as on task forces).
It has 56 field offices in major US cities, as well as 60 Legal Attaches (called LEGATs) at US embassies in foreign countries. Those offices primarily coordinate with international law enforcement, rather than conduct operations in other nations.

The Organization

The FBI has a myriad of branches. Click each of these links for more information.

Rank Structure

Field Agents

New Agent Trainee
Special Agent
Senior Special Agent
Supervisory Special Agent
Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge (ASAC)
Special Agent-in-Charge (SAC)

FBI Management

Deputy Assistant Director
Assistant Director
Associate Executive Assistant Director
Executive Assistant Director
Associate Deputy Director
Deputy Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff and Special Counsel to the Director
Deputy Director
Director

Duty Weapons

FBI Special Agents are issued the Glock 22 or 23 semi-automatic handgun, chambered in the .40 S&W cartridge. The next generation of FBI weapons, also produced by Glock, will shoot the 9mm Parabellum, and will be branded the Glock 17M and 19M.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and

Explosives (ATF)

ATF is an interesting law enforcement agency because the crimes it investigates are so specialized and specific. They feature prominently in my favorite crime novel, The Friends of Eddie Coyle, by George Higgins. Here’s what you need to know:

Like the FBI, it operates under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice.
It investigates and prevents crimes related to: unlawful use, possession, and manufacture of firearms; acts of arson and bombings; the trafficking of alcohol and tobacco products and the tax evasion that accompanies such activity. ATF also regulates interstate commerce and transportation of firearms and explosives.
Much of its operations involve working with local and state law enforcement on task forces, such as the Charlotte Fire Investigation Task Force featured in my first novel, No Hard Feelings.
It is not unusual for ATF to be included in narcotics investigations, since guns and drugs are almost always found together.

Agents and Structure

ATF Special Agents are empowered to conduct investigations and work with local and state police to reduce violent crime across the United States. They have the lead in any federal investigation involving firearms, explosives, or tobacco-related crimes such as cigarette smuggling.

They can also conduct narcotics investigations independently of other agencies like the DEA. Once again, this is a practical empowerment given the fact that criminals and criminal organizations use firearms to defend drugs and the money illegal substances bring.

ATF Industry Operations Investigators (IOIs) conduct routine investigations into the industries regulated by the agency (such as firearms and explosive dealers, manufacturers, and wholesalers).

Field Offices

ATF has field offices in: Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Denver; Detroit; Houston; Kansas City, Missouri; Los Angeles; Louisville, Kentucky; Miami; Nashville, Tennessee; New Orleans; New York City; Newark, New Jersey; Philadelphia; Phoenix, Arizona; San Francisco; Seattle; St. Paul, Minnesota; Tampa, Florida; and Washington, D.C.

Duty Weapons

Special agents are equipped with the Glock 22 or Glock 27 handgun as their primary weapon. ATF Special Response Teams (SRTs) also carry Colt M4 assault rifles, among other firearms.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

The DEA was established in 1973 to fight the global war on drugs. The United States is one of the world’s largest markets for illegal substances. The DEA has 223 offices in the country, as well as 86 offices in other countries.

The DEA is the lead agency for domestic enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act, sharing its jurisdiction and duties with the FBI, ICE, and Homeland Security.
They often work with local and state law enforcement in DEA-led drug task forces.
In 2005, the DEA seized a reported $1.4 billion in drug trade related assets and $477 million worth of drugs.
The DEA also employs an Aviation Division and Special Response Teams (SRTs). SRT missions often involve high-risk arrests, surveillance, arrests of high-profile individuals, witness protection, breaching, tactical training for local and state police units and teams, and fugitive searches.

Duty Weapons

DEA Special Agents’ primary service weapons include the Glock 17 and Glock 19, the Remington 870 12-gauge shotgun, and Rock River Arms LAR-15 semi-auto carbine.

The United States Marshals Service

I’ve saved my personal favorite federal agency for last. The US Marshals Service is the oldest federal law enforcement agency, dating back to 1789. Marshals are famous for their acts of heroism in the wild west, as they pursued wanted men with posses of deputies.

Today, they serve the 94 federal court districts with approximately 4,000 deputy marshals.

The marshals do not investigate crimes. Their duties include: judicial security and protection, fugitive asset forfeiture, transporting prisoners, operating the WITSEC program, and (as they always have) chasing fugitives and individuals wanted on indictment or by warrant.
They are the most effective federal agency in terms of arrests, with around 350 daily collars.
They often work with local and state law enforcement to apprehend fugitives. Marshals can deputize local LEOs, giving them jurisdiction beyond that of the LEO’s parent agency. For instance, a deputy marshal working with a city police department can deputize an officer. This allows that officer to operate and make an arrest outside the jurisdiction of the city.

Duty Weapons

Deputy marshals carry .40 S&W caliber Glocks, including the Glock 22, 23, and 27. They also carry a backup weapon of their choosing, provided it meets agency standards. Due to the high potential for violent opposition when arresting fugitives, marshals are also equipped with body armor and can wield ballistic shields, helmets, and goggles for the highest risk operations.

Summary

It is every crime author’s responsibility to stay as true to real life law enforcement as the story allows. Readers want it, expect it, and demand it. Fortunately for writers, the subjects of crime and law enforcement are fascinating.

Do your research and choose the right agencies!

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