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voluntary compliance with these laws and to minimize willful violations. To do so, the BATF has two
enforcement units--criminal and regulatory. The criminal enforcement unit seeks to eliminate illegal
possession and use of firearms and explosives, to reduce traffic in illicit alcohol, and to assist state and
local law enforcement agencies in reducing crime and violence. The regulatory enforcement unit helps
ensure full collection of revenues due from legal alcohol and tobacco industries and aids in preventing
commercial bribery, consumer deception, and improper trade practices.
DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, has the
leading role in the fight against drug abuse in our country. The DEA's mission is to control narcotic and
dangerous drug abuse effectively through law enforcement, education, training, and research activities.
It is responsible for enforcing statutes and laws relating to the unlawful distribution and use of such
products as heroin, opium, cocaine, hallucinogens, marijuana, synthetic narcotics that can be addictive
(such as Demerol and methadone), and dangerous nonnarcotic drugs (such as amphetamines and
barbiturates). The aim is to bring to justice those individuals and organizations, at home and abroad,
engaged in growing, manufacturing, or distributing controlled, dangerous substances destined for illegal
traffic in the United States. The efforts of this agency are directed at the highest level of suppliers and
toward the confiscation of the greatest quantity of illegal drugs before they reach the street pushers. In
line with these responsibilities, the DEA develops overall federal drug enforcement strategies and leads
the way in developing narcotic and dangerous drug suppression programs at national and international
levels. The DEA also regulates legal trade in narcotics and dangerous drugs.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is responsible for investigating violations of all federal laws
except those specifically within the jurisdiction of other federal agencies. The FBI deals with violations
of sabotage, treason, and espionage laws as well as internal security matters. Although the jurisdiction
of the Bureau in criminal matters is limited, the FBI has responsibility for enforcing numerous federal
laws including those against kidnapping, extortion, bank robbery, offenses involving interstate transpor-
tation, civil rights violations, assaulting or killing a U.S. President or federal officer, and the security of
personnel employed by the federal government and property owned by the government.
In addition to these traditional enforcement functions, the FBI maintains a centralized system of
fingerprint identification; the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which supplies information on
known or suspected criminals; crime laboratory services, which are also available to local enforcement
agencies; and training programs to increase law enforcement effectiveness at all levels of government.
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
The General Services Administration (GSA), one of the largest federal agencies, provides our govern-
ment with the most economic and efficient methods of managing its programs and resources. These
include management of property and records; construction and operation of buildings; purchase and
distribution of supplies; management of communications, traffic, and transportation; and direction of the
governmentwide automatic data-processing program. Within the GSA, the very large Public Buildings
Service (PBS) is responsible for the protection of life and property in most federally owned or leased
buildings throughout the country. In over 10,000 federal buildings, there are more than 279 million square
feet of space including outside parking areas. To carry out their protective mission, PBS employs a
uniformed security force staffed with Federal Protective Officers, whose duties are described in this book.
