Category: Security

Source: US FBI

Source: US FBI

I was a D.C.-based Department of Justice attorney at the time of 9/11. I volunteered to work at FBI Headquarters to assist with the response to the attack. It ignited a desire in me to get out of the courtroom and onto the front lines of law enforcement.

Describe your most memorable case or investigative success.

There are so many investigations that have impacted me over the years. I think, instead, what is memorable is the FBI’s mission. As an agent, I have been in a position to impact threats to civil society and individuals, whether that be corrupt heads of state, child predators, violent actors, or terrorists. I’ve been given the opportunity to hold those individuals responsible and to cast light on their often very dark and selfish acts.

Ultimately, it is the day-to-day work we do at the FBI, often unseen and unheralded, that means the most to me. The opportunity to serve: victims, their families, the community, my agency, this country. That is what is, and will always be, memorable to me.

What is the best career or life advice you’ve been given?

Two things: Your reputation and integrity are everything, and don’t do anything that would embarrass your mom if it made the news.

Source: US FBI

I joined the FBI in 1997 and was so fortunate to be assigned to the Richmond Division directly from Quantico. I chose to remain there for my entire 25-year career. I started off investigating bank robberies, fugitives, and crimes against children.

When the first of three daughters was born, I began investigating white-collar crimes. Although I spent the majority of my time working a wide array of white-collar crimes, I have had the opportunity to experience so much more—from being a member of the Richmond Evidence Response Team to interviewing potential FBI applicants and serving as a crisis management coordinator during critical incidents 
 
What drew you to the FBI?  

I grew up wanting to be a lawyer. After practicing family law and criminal defense for a few years, my husband read in a news article that the FBI was recruiting accountants, lawyers, women, and minorities to become special agents. My husband pointed out that I fit two of those categories. 

Until that conversation, I had never thought about becoming a special agent for the FBI. I was 29 and had never shot a gun before, but that conversation started me thinking: Why not become an FBI special agent?

What is the best career or life advice you have to give? 

After 25 years with the FBI, my career advice is to take advantage of the unique experiences and training presented to you as an employee who works for the FBI.

Source: US FBI

Though this was a devastating time for my mother, I realized I wanted to use my knowledge of the law to help others, the way the FBI and USAO helped my family. When considering a career, I was drawn to the FBI because I knew I could serve others while using my law degree.

Describe your most memorable case or investigative success.

The most memorable case of my career was as a member of the FBI Los Angeles Evidence Response Team responding to the San Bernardino terrorist attack in December 2015. At the time, it was the deadliest terrorist attack in the United States since 9/11. I will never forget the victims who had simply gone to a work holiday party only to be attacked by their coworker and his wife who had become homegrown violent extremists. I responded to searches of the mass shooting location, the terrorists’ home, and an accomplice’s home and to autopsies of the victims as well as the subjects themselves. The professionalism of my teammates and dedication to the FBI mission and country left a lasting impression on me. I was honored to serve among them to help bring answers to the victims’ families and intelligence community.

What is the best career or life advice you’ve been given?

Studies show that most men apply for jobs when they meet 60% of the requirements. Most women apply for jobs only when they meet 100% of the requirements. To compete, women need to put themselves forward when they think they can do the job, not just when they are completely confident they already meet every requirement.

Source: US FBI

As an FBI agent, I have seen horrific tragedy, but I’ve also seen the best in humanity. And I have faith that good will prevail.

I began my career working counterterrorism as an analyst with the FBI and with the National Counterterrorism Center. I later became an FBI agent, and my first assignment was working violent crime in North Carolina. I went back to FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., to work national security matters and was then promoted to supervisory special agent working national security matters in San Antonio, Texas.  

What is the best career or life advice you’ve been given?   

If your intuition and your instincts are telling you something, then it’s important to drill down and ask smart questions on what that is and why. This could save your life, save someone else’s life, or lead you in a new direction during an investigation.    

What is the best career or life advice you have to give?   

Live a good life and have a career where you have fun, do meaningful work, and make an impact on the world. Try your best to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Why not? Why not experience what your life and career can offer you and then learn from it? But, pay it back by what you learn from those experiences.

Source: US FBI

I have been a special agent in the FBI for more than 16 years. I have had the opportunity to work both criminal and national security violations in three field offices and headquarters. I am currently in my home state of Oklahoma serving as an assistant special agent in charge of the Oklahoma City Field Office.

Share the thing you’re most proud of from your FBI career.

Some of the proudest moments of my FBI career occurred while serving as the assistant special agent in charge overseeing Indian Country efforts in Oklahoma. In 2020, Oklahoma experienced a significant change in criminal jurisdiction resulting from the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt decision, which returned 45% of the state to tribal nations. Because the FBI has jurisdiction on tribal lands, the Oklahoma City Field Office saw a drastic increase in its violent crime investigations.

During the past two years, I witnessed firsthand the resilience of Oklahoma City’s agents, analysts, and professional staff, who, in spite of new challenges, remained unwavering in their dedication to serving the American people. It is true—we are an FBI family. I’ll always remember how FBI employees travelled here from across the United States to augment our workforce. It was incredible to witness and reminded me of why I joined the FBI in the first place: the people, the mission, and the purpose behind everything we do.

Source: US FBI

I have worked for 18 years as a special agent specializing in white-collar crimes, including health care fraud and securities fraud.

Describe your most memorable case or investigative success.

My most memorable case was a civil rights investigation of a police officer who was alleged to be assaulting women while in uniform and while using his official position as a police officer. The investigation required interviews of victims who were often fearful to speak with law enforcement based on their experiences with this officer. It was a privilege, as a special agent and a woman, to help these victims through the process of reporting their assaults and to help start the process of rebuilding their trust in law enforcement. With their bravery and the hard work of the multi-agency investigative team, including the officer’s agency, this former police officer was sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for deprivation of civil rights under color of law and other crimes.

Share the thing you’re most proud of from your FBI career.

I recently worked on a health care case in which we recovered more than $60 million in assets for victims and secured significant prison sentences for the primary defendants. This outcome represented the largest criminal recovery in the history of our judicial district. But beyond the case result, it was amazing to see that the majority of my law enforcement and insurance industry counterparts in the case were also women. At the start of my career 18 years ago, that would not have been the case. It is exciting to see how women have really begun to consider law enforcement as a viable career choice.

Source: US FBI

The most interesting case I’ve worked to date was a joint counterintelligence investigation with the U.S. Navy. Not only was it a rewarding and, at times, challenging investigation, it offered me the opportunity to land on an aircraft carrier in the middle of the ocean and took me to Hawaii.

What is the best career or life advice you’ve been given?   

The best advice I’ve received was from my dad (Captain Robert L. Harper, U.S. Navy, Ret.) who, before I went to college, told me to “always take an hour for yourself each day.” Assured I was fulfilling my job as a student, he would ask me if I was following his guidance when we chatted. He knew I had caught on when I progressed from “mostly” taking an hour everyday freshman year to “almost always” sophomore year to “at least an hour a day” by my junior/senior years. He still asks me if I’m following this advice to this day.   

He also always said; “Experience is the name we give our mistakes.” I carry this advice with me as well, as a reminder to motivate and inspire calculated and informed action and not to be afraid to fail or learn as I go. Even if it does mean I have to get back up and dust myself—or my pride—off from time to time.    

Who made a difference in your career? How? 

Very few people achieve success without the assistance of others. Throughout my career, I’ve been blessed to have the guidance and counsel of others, many of whom are female mentors. Too numerous to name here, my village of intelligence analysts, professional support staff, and special agents know who they are.

Whether it was providing an inspiring reminder that we’re all charged with doing our work on behalf of the United States of America, demonstrating how to do a protocol pushup, showing me how to navigate an investigation and/or the ensuing paperwork, or offering support and encouragement—be it during a tough case, a personal challenge, or just grabbing a cup of coffee—I have always had the sense that the FBI family is more than a nice concept…it’s real.

That spirit of camaraderie and unity of mission is something I hope other people have in their careers. Because of the support I’ve received, I’m proud to pay it forward and look out for and encourage future talent for the organization. The FBI is a team sport made up of superstars!

Source: US FBI

I joined the FBI as a special agent in 2002 and was assigned to the New York Field Office as a counterintelligence case agent. I later became a counterintelligence supervisor and initiated the first combined counterintelligence and cyber squads. I’ve served as an acting assistant legal attaché in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. I transferred to the Newark Field Office in 2014 and now serve as its Training Academy and National Academy Coordinator.

What drew you to the FBI?

I wanted to help people and make a positive impact. I have had the great fortune to achieve that goal and have taken every opportunity to help as many people as possible, both within my organization and in the public. I have mentored many employees, encouraging them to pursue fulfilling assignments, opportunities, and promotions.

What is the best career or life advice you have to give?

Although 20 years seems like a long time, it goes by really fast. My best advice is to live in the moment and enjoy each of the assignments, learn as much as you can, and share your knowledge with the next generation.

Source: US FBI

A team of employees from the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division and the Laboratory Division provided onsite case assistance at the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IACME) 2024 Training Symposium in Las Vegas to help identify unknown deceased persons. The team, with support from employees at the CJIS Division, processed fingerprints related to 30 cases for 21 different agencies and successfully identified seven unknown deceased individuals. Several cases are still under review.

After a discussion between an FBI employee and an IACME member at IACME’s 2023 Symposium led to a successful identification, the FBI worked with IACME representatives to promote the service at this year’s event. Attendees were encouraged to bring active and cold cases to the conference for the FBI to attempt to resolve in real time.

The FBI’s Deceased Persons Identification (DPI) Services, based at the CJIS Division, provides fingerprint-based deceased identification for active and cold cases. Federal, state, territorial, local, tribal, and international law enforcement agencies, as well as authorized medical examiners and coroners, may submit fingerprints to DPI Services. The team then searches the prints against multiple federal biometric systems, including the Next Generation Identification (NGI) System, to attempt to match the fingerprints with a known identity. When an identification occurs, the FBI staff advises the submitting agency and searches missing person entries in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for possible matches. If a match is located, the FBI notifies the NCIC record submitting agency.

“It was important for us to take this service directly to our customers,” said CJIS Division Acting Assistant Director Timothy Ferguson. “Thousands of people die without an identification each year, and our team works diligently to help our partners identify these individuals. We wanted the coroner and medical examiner community to better understand our service and know we are here to help.”  

DPI Services assist law enforcement further a case and provide families resolution. Updating identities with an individual’s date of death helps reduce fraud and identity theft.   

To learn more about DPI Services or other CJIS Division programs, visit le.fbi.gov/cjis-division.