The United States Department of Justice is the largest single law office in the world. The attorney general of the United States is the overall head of the department, answering directly to the president of the United States. The Office of the Attorney General was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789. The original act called for a single person, the attorney general, to staff the agency on a part-time basis only. It wasn't until well after the Civil War that Congress created an executive branch agency known as the U.S. Department of Justice, due primarily to the amount of litigation against the government that came as a result of the war. The current mission statement of the department includes the language, “to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic.” The word foreign in the mission statement allows any of the agencies under the Department of Justice to conduct operations offshore in order to provide safety for Americans from threats that originate outside the U.S. However, each agency must also adhere to its own mission statement, specifying the territorial limits by which it must abide.

With the creation of the Department of Justice came not only the charge to handle legal interests of the United States government, but also enforcement of federal laws. The attorney general was placed at the top of the department, and separate divisions were subsequently created in order to compartmentalize the many enforcement functions.

Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATF) is one of the few federal agencies that lists the specific areas of concern in the agency title. Having its organizational roots dating back to the beginning of the country, and dealing primarily with tax revenues on foreign-produced alcoholic beverages, the bureau evolved in the late 1960s as a result of the Gun Control Act. Working then under the authority of the Internal Revenue Department, the Homeland Security Act of 2003 transferred the agency to the Department of Justice and gave it its current name.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives maintains one of the most sophisticated crime laboratory systems in the world with labs in Maryland, Georgia, and California. It has been responsible for the development of the most technically advanced computerized method of matching bullets to the guns that fired them, and it operates a prevention program called GREAT, or Gang Resistance Education And Training, that helps children choose not to become involved in violent gang activities.

Aside from the many positive initiatives that the bureau undertakes, it is most infamous for the events surrounding the Aryan Nation standoff at Ruby Ridge, Idaho, and the Branch Davidian compound siege at Waco, Texas. In each of these episodes people on both sides of the issue were killed and wounded when federal agents and civilians engaged one another with firearms.

Both Waco and Ruby Ridge episodes arose when federal agents had arrest warrants to be served. In both cases, those warrants could have been served away from the properties where the confrontations occurred and under conditions that could have been controlled by the agencies. In both cases, people died as a result of the procedures that were followed, prompting a nationwide redefining of the rules of engagement for the use of firearms. Although most law enforcement officials would agree that neither of these events was procedurally prudent, both of these chapters in BATF history serve as learning experiences for future generations of law enforcement agents.

Drug Enforcement Administration

This is the front-line agency fighting the war on drugs. Chartered for both domestic and foreign operations, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is responsible for bringing both criminal and civil cases involving the manufacture and distribution of controlled drugs. Whether the drugs are illicit by nature or legitimate pharmaceuticals being sold on the black market, the Drug Enforcement Administration is responsible for bringing the violators to justice. However, that's easier said than done.

Traffickers in illicit drugs and people handling contraband pharmaceuticals on the black market go to great extremes to avoid arrest. Elaborate countermeasures are used by these felons to evade the detection efforts of the DEA enforcers and to push their products on American streets. Finding the suppliers and manufacturers of these drugs can be difficult in itself, but stamping them out is even harder, given the vast financial resources at their disposal. More often than not, the sources of illicit drugs are found in foreign countries where cash crops are those used in producing cocaine and heroin.

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Although the seeds of the Federal Bureau of Investigation were first planted about the time of the Spanish-American war, it wasn't called the FBI until 1935. Prior to that time it was known simply as the Bureau of Investigation. Even though the agency existed, it was known by other names from its inception during Theodore Roosevelt's administration.

With a top ten list of priorities that includes providing antiterrorist operations, investigation of violent and white-collar crime, protection of personal civil rights, and the support for local, county, state, federal, and international organizations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has a full plate. All of these individual elements of the overall mission of the bureau require refined law enforcement skills and a dedication to duty that is strongly ingrained in the applicant. These traits are closely scrutinized at Quantico, Virginia, home to both a U.S. Marine Corps base and the FBI Academy.

In addition to the many special courses offered at the FBI Academy, one feature is unique to Quantico—Hogan's Alley. This portion of the facility looks like any Main Street in America, with a post office, shops, offices, and a movie theater. This is an actual place of business, with real people working in these shops and offices each day. Trainees are confronted with all kinds of scenarios, from criminals taking hostages to shoot-outs where civilians are used as shields. The agents in training must learn to deal effectively with the many hazards of their jobs while simultaneously protecting the innocent bystanders of Hogan's Alley, who are inevitably in the line of fire. It's lifelike training that helps agents visualize the perils inherent in pursuing felons. This is more than a combat firearms course, it is as close to real life as candidates will get, and it is among the best training that agents will receive during their years of service.

U.S. Marshals Service

The United States Marshals Service is the oldest federal law enforcement agency in the country. Organized under the Judiciary Act of 1789, the first handful of marshals was appointed to office by President George Washington. Since then, the service has been responsible for enforcing federal laws, providing protection for the judiciary, fugitive investigation for numerous federal agencies, witness protection, prisoner transfer and transport, administration of asset forfeiture, and service of criminal court process.

The ninety-four United States marshals are appointed directly by the president of the United States and remain in office until they are replaced. Under them are almost 5,000 deputy marshals, who handle the many chores that fall to the agency. The service has also traditionally been the only law enforcement agency that provides services to all three branches of government. Aside from the hands-on protection that is provided to the courts, the service oversees the design and construction of new federal courthouses, to ensure safety and thorough protection during the administration of justice.

Of special interest is a Special Operations Group (SOG). This team of highly trained deputies remains on call twenty-four hours a day and will respond to unusual situations where a specific threat to federal property exists or when federal law is violated.