Abbreviation FBI | ||
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Common name Federal Bureau of Investigation Motto Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity Formed July 26, 1908; 108 years ago (1908-07-26) Employees 35,104 (October 31, 2014) Annual budget US$8.3 billion (FY 2014) | ||
The Intelligence Branch (IB) is a division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. IB leads the FBI's dedicated national intelligence workforce, with authority and responsibility over all FBI intelligence functions, including information sharing policy and intelligence analysis for national security, homeland security, and law enforcement needs. IB carries out its functions through embedded intelligence elements at FBI Headquarters and in each field division. In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, CTD's funding and manpower have significantly increased.
Contents
The Intelligence Branch consists of intelligence analysts, language analysts, physical surveillance specialists, and FBI special agents. IB also oversees field intelligence operations through Field Intelligence Groups (FIGs) housed within the various local field offices.
Leadership
The Intelligence Branch is headed by the Executive Assistant Director for Intelligence Branch. The current Assistant Director is Eric Velez-Villar, who was appointed by FBI Director Robert Mueller on March 5, 2012.
History
FBI has always gathered and used intelligence to accomplish its mission, however, the Bureau's intelligence capabilities have been significantly expanded and streamlined in the 21st century. The Intelligence Branch as a distinct entity traces its history to the wake of the September 11 terror attacks in 2001. Intelligence analysis began as a dedicated section within the FBI Counterterrorism Division (CTD) in 2001, which quickly evolved into an Office of Intelligence within CTD in 2002. The 9/11 Commission recommended strengthening the role intelligence played within the FBI's structure. Following the passage of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, United States Attorney General John Ashcroft ordered the establishment of a dedicated intelligence unit separate from the CTD. The Intelligence Branch was formally established in 2005. IB, along with the CTD, the FBI Counterintelligence Division, and the FBI Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, was placed within the newly established FBI National Security Branch in 2006. As of 2014, IB is no longer part of NSB and now operates as a separate organizational entity within FBI.