“Protect secrets, prevent terrorism, and reduce crime” is the motto of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Today, we stand before a key part of that mission. This is the Naval Criminal Investigative Service headquarters.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service or NCIS is more than just a TV show. It is a real federal law enforcement agency. The NCIS protects the United States Navy and Marine Corps. It focuses on criminal, terrorist, and foreign intelligence threats. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service operates worldwide. Its agents work both on shore and at sea. They even operate in cyberspace.
Originally, the NCIS was the Naval Intelligence. It protected troops and countered espionage since World War I. Later, it took on criminal investigations mostly with civilian agents. In 1966, the Naval Intelligence Service became its own command. It reported directly to the Chief of Naval Operations.
In 1985, the Naval Intelligence Service gained an Anti-terrorist Alert Center. In 1992, the Naval Intelligence Service transformed into the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. It became a mostly civilian agency. The NCIS is independent of the military chain of command. NCIS agents can investigate and arrest military personnel and civilians.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service has about 2,500 employees. Half are sworn special agents. The rest support the agents. These support roles include analysts and forensic experts. Some reservists work in counterintelligence. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service also recruits from other federal agencies.
The NCIS played a vital role in high-profile cases. NCIS agents were first on the scene after the USS Cole bombing. They also responded to the Maritime Jewel attack. The NCIS Cold Case Homicide Unit has solved over 50 murders since 1995. One case was over 33 years old.
The NCIS is divided into 19 units. These units include the Cold Case Homicide Unit and the Multiple Threat Alert Center. There is also a Major Case Response Team. The NCIS also has a Cyber Support Office and a Forensic Analysis unit.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigates crimes against the Navy and Marine Corps. This includes security clearances, drug trafficking and counter-espionage. They also investigate computer espionage, murder and child abuse.
The NCIS often works with other law enforcement agencies. This includes the FBI, which takes precedence in disputes. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service has offices in over 140 locations worldwide. The headquarters oversees all field operations. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service ensures the safety and security of the Navy and Marine Corps. It counters threats both at home and abroad. It truly goes “Beyond Boundaries.”
The Washington Field Office addresses a wide spectrum of crimes. It focuses on economic crimes and national security. It has the agency’s largest dedicated fraud unit. NCIS works with the Judge Advocate General and Family Advocacy Program. It proactively fights crime within the military community.