We see it all the time in movies and television, but has anyone ever actually met an FBI Agent before?
Do they actually even announce that they are FBI and show you a badge/credentials?
36 comments
yes I have
Yes. When I worked at a university regional based FBI agents came in about once a month to the verify transcripts and graduation completion.
They were always friendly and would always show their badges. Sometimes they came dressed in suits. Other times just in normal business casual
I’ve met FBI agent recruiters. It was interesting, it was at a job fair place with lots of law enforcement recruiting booths. All the cops were very ‘cop’ looking, jacked, tight haircuts, hyper masculine stereotypes. The FBI agents looked like accountants.
I’m friends with a few. They’re just normal people they aren’t spooks
I was going to say yes, but actually it was CIA I think? And only because a friend was applying for an internship that required security clearance. I had just had a baby, so they did a home visit to ask about how we knew each other, what he was doing when he traveled internationally, etc.
My husband’s old neighbor was one as was my friend’s husband. Just ordinary guys, the neighbor used to sometimes have impound cars he’d let my husband test drive.
My mom’s friend is married to an FBI agent. He’s a pretty normal seeming guy.
Don’t remember if it was an FBI agent or what, but one of my roommates from college tried to get a job that required security clearances and they asked a lot of questions about him. I don’t remember seeing a badge or credentials or anything.
Yes. I’m a retired police officer. I’ve met FBI agents, US Marshals etc. Worked around those guys for years.
I know so many local cops that ended up working as federal agents as well.
I used to work with a “former” one when I was doing financial crimes investigations. His official job was to handle investigations involving politicians, but he really just ran cover for them and stonewalled our work.
I’ve met two people who are field agents, but they were not working when I met them.
I also had to get my fingerprints done by an FBI agent when I got a substitute teaching job.
My cousin’s husband is an FBI agent. He does not announce it.
Yeah. Went to church with him
Yes I have encountered an FBI agent but it wasn’t in an official capacity. The agent was visiting their grandmother when I met them.
A couple times in the course of my duties at a university.
They were normal people who had cool jobs. Wouldn’t want to be on the wrong end of any of the queries.
Yes, he was conducting a background check on me for a contracted job with a federal agency. He told me he was a special agent with the FBI, specifically to do background checks. He set up a meeting at a college library (neutral ground). When we met, the first thing he did was show me his badge. The meeting went well and I passed the check.
They’re just people….if you know a police officer, do they go around flashing their badge and announcing it? FBI is just federal law enforcement. And yes, I’ve met an FBI agent since my cousin was one before going to the State Department and CIA.
I couldn’t even see one when I needed to. I was trying to report suspicious behavior at the sheriff’s office, but every attempt to reach them was redirected back to the sheriff’s office. IThey would only talk to me if I was referred by the dodgy bastards I was trying to report.
Yes, both were conversations over the phone. One was with a retired FBI agent for a project in high school. He was very nice and helpful and I learned a lot. The second was a conversation to report someone for a federal crime against children. The agent was also very polite and helpful.
I go to a university in the DC area. I’ve seen FBI recruiters, NSA recruiters, and I’ve been to the Pentagon’s metro stop and seen CIA agents.
This is all quite normal in DC.
Socially. Three of my colleagues over the years are married to FBI agents. There are just regular people like any of us.
Yes. A school friend’s dad was an agent at the regional field office, and a family friend became an agent. They’re just people.
More than likely but they didn’t make themselves known. It’s Northern Virginia.
As a DC area resident I’ve dated several and for the most part they are normal folks that have to deal with just as much bullshit paperwork as I do in a regular desk job. People don’t just walk around flashing their credentials unless there is a legal reason to do so (like being in the process of conducting an investigation). Look up Candace Delong, she talks about her career pretty extensively
I’m in the DC area and my social circles are adjacent to FBI circles, so yes.
The thing is, the FBI doesn’t investigate the sort of crimes a typical american is likely to be involved in. So, at least prior to them being seconded en masse to immigration a few months ago, you weren’t likely to see one doing criminal investigations unless you were running a bank or your dealer was a serious over achiever.
I was a cop, so I’ve pretty much met every federal law enforcement agency at one time or another.
I occasionally get contacted by the FBI in relation to background investigations. Usually a friend, colleague, or former employee who is acquiring, renewing, or changing their security clearance or position.
First time I ever interacted with them they went to my parent’s house then immediately to my job site. Was really awkward to have my boss come down and say “Hey the FBI is here looking for you”
Worked for a large MSP that also owned around 20 data centers,Hi our office was located in NJ across the river from NYC. We would get visits from FBI and other agencies whenever a server was compromised or there were issues with the content being hosted on those dedicated servers. Since our offices and DC required ID to be presented, they did present their credentials. The meetings nearly always were arranged through our legal team and maybe a few times did someone show up as a surprise.
In 1999 there was a tragic loss during a race at a speedway, they asked the public for information about the crash. I was able to see the whole thing from my seat so I called them.
Then someone started leaving pipe bombs at stores owned by the title sponsor of the track. The FBI interviewed everyone who had contacted the track so I was interviewed at work by the FBI. They finally caught the bomber.
Yes. My grandfather was in the FBI
Yeah, when I was a kid. They were investigating one of my mom’s clients if I remember right. They called her ahead of time and set up an appointment to come talk to her. Very uneventful.
As a teen, I had federal marshals show up at my house after some friends and I stole some street signs from a national park…they tried to be intimidating but 14-year-old me was way too cocky to care. I also refused to admit anything to them. (We did return the signs, though.)
I’ve known a few agents, but they were friends/acquaintances. I’ve never been on the business end of the badge.
If a law enforcement officer is engaging you in an official capacity, they are supposed to identify themselves verbally and by showing their credentials. This is to protect them as much as it is to notify you. There are a whole bunch of things they are not supposed to do if they have not properly identified themselves. A half decent lawyer will have a field day in court with an officer of any sort who verifiably failed to identify themselves, especially in the case of FBI where they do not wear uniforms.
My ex-brother in law’s brother (my sister’s ex-husband’s brother) was a US Marshall and his wife was an FBI agent, I met them a number of times at family holiday events, etc. (The both worked out of the Murray Building in Oklahoma city, thankfully they were both out of the office on the day of the bombing, but they lost many friends and co-workers that day) I also had a Great Aunt on my mother’s side of the family, that while not an agent, retired from the FBI with 30 years of service in the fingerprinting division in Washington DC (from 1939-1969), She had photos of where she worked during the 1940’s where they had a giant open building the size of an aircraft hanger filled with tables arranged in rows and columns, with each table covered with fingerprint cards, all arranged in stacks each in its own row and column. This allowed for matching fingerprints before computers. Each row of tables would have one fingerprint trait in common, then each column of tables would have another trait, then on that table row and column of car would have its own set of traits, which quickly allowed narrowing down to only a single stack of cards though would each need to individually be compared to an unknown fingerprint.
Yep. Growing up, my best friends dad was an FBI agent.
He was a super normal, almost too normal, run of the mill guy.
We got in a lot of trouble with him after we took his “suction cup” cop light out of his car and pulled people over all night.
I do know there were kids houses we absolutely weren’t allowed to go to. His dad knew the details and we were not supposed to go there.
I had to get security clearances for my job, and part of that was an interview with an FBI agent. He was a normal looking dude, pretty chill. Looked like he could be any random office worker. He showed me his badge and ID, but didn’t flash them directly in my face like you see on tv, just held them out for me to confirm who he was.
My father worked for the DOD at the Pentagon, and my best friend growing up was the daughter of an FBI agent. The FBI agents I met were at social events so, no, they did not flash their badge.
I also learned that spies are deliberately some of the most unremarkable people you’ll ever encounter. They culture a forgettable or mild persona. They are also preternaturally calm in any crisis. They do not have an excitability button. My father had to keep up an inane conversation with a spy while they worked together to locate bugs in a room in the USSR. My father was stressed trying to sound natural and interested in a boring conversation while multitasking, while for the spy it was just another Tuesday.
36 comments
yes I have
Yes. When I worked at a university regional based FBI agents came in about once a month to the verify transcripts and graduation completion.
They were always friendly and would always show their badges. Sometimes they came dressed in suits. Other times just in normal business casual
I’ve met FBI agent recruiters. It was interesting, it was at a job fair place with lots of law enforcement recruiting booths. All the cops were very ‘cop’ looking, jacked, tight haircuts, hyper masculine stereotypes. The FBI agents looked like accountants.
I’m friends with a few. They’re just normal people they aren’t spooks
I was going to say yes, but actually it was CIA I think? And only because a friend was applying for an internship that required security clearance. I had just had a baby, so they did a home visit to ask about how we knew each other, what he was doing when he traveled internationally, etc.
My husband’s old neighbor was one as was my friend’s husband. Just ordinary guys, the neighbor used to sometimes have impound cars he’d let my husband test drive.
My mom’s friend is married to an FBI agent. He’s a pretty normal seeming guy.
Don’t remember if it was an FBI agent or what, but one of my roommates from college tried to get a job that required security clearances and they asked a lot of questions about him. I don’t remember seeing a badge or credentials or anything.
Yes. I’m a retired police officer. I’ve met FBI agents, US Marshals etc. Worked around those guys for years.
I know so many local cops that ended up working as federal agents as well.
I used to work with a “former” one when I was doing financial crimes investigations. His official job was to handle investigations involving politicians, but he really just ran cover for them and stonewalled our work.
I’ve met two people who are field agents, but they were not working when I met them.
I also had to get my fingerprints done by an FBI agent when I got a substitute teaching job.
My cousin’s husband is an FBI agent. He does not announce it.
Yeah. Went to church with him
Yes I have encountered an FBI agent but it wasn’t in an official capacity. The agent was visiting their grandmother when I met them.
A couple times in the course of my duties at a university.
They were normal people who had cool jobs. Wouldn’t want to be on the wrong end of any of the queries.
Yes, he was conducting a background check on me for a contracted job with a federal agency. He told me he was a special agent with the FBI, specifically to do background checks. He set up a meeting at a college library (neutral ground). When we met, the first thing he did was show me his badge. The meeting went well and I passed the check.
They’re just people….if you know a police officer, do they go around flashing their badge and announcing it? FBI is just federal law enforcement. And yes, I’ve met an FBI agent since my cousin was one before going to the State Department and CIA.
I couldn’t even see one when I needed to. I was trying to report suspicious behavior at the sheriff’s office, but every attempt to reach them was redirected back to the sheriff’s office. IThey would only talk to me if I was referred by the dodgy bastards I was trying to report.
Yes, both were conversations over the phone. One was with a retired FBI agent for a project in high school. He was very nice and helpful and I learned a lot. The second was a conversation to report someone for a federal crime against children. The agent was also very polite and helpful.
I go to a university in the DC area. I’ve seen FBI recruiters, NSA recruiters, and I’ve been to the Pentagon’s metro stop and seen CIA agents.
This is all quite normal in DC.
Socially. Three of my colleagues over the years are married to FBI agents. There are just regular people like any of us.
Yes. A school friend’s dad was an agent at the regional field office, and a family friend became an agent. They’re just people.
More than likely but they didn’t make themselves known. It’s Northern Virginia.
As a DC area resident I’ve dated several and for the most part they are normal folks that have to deal with just as much bullshit paperwork as I do in a regular desk job. People don’t just walk around flashing their credentials unless there is a legal reason to do so (like being in the process of conducting an investigation). Look up Candace Delong, she talks about her career pretty extensively
I’m in the DC area and my social circles are adjacent to FBI circles, so yes.
The thing is, the FBI doesn’t investigate the sort of crimes a typical american is likely to be involved in. So, at least prior to them being seconded en masse to immigration a few months ago, you weren’t likely to see one doing criminal investigations unless you were running a bank or your dealer was a serious over achiever.
I was a cop, so I’ve pretty much met every federal law enforcement agency at one time or another.
I occasionally get contacted by the FBI in relation to background investigations. Usually a friend, colleague, or former employee who is acquiring, renewing, or changing their security clearance or position.
First time I ever interacted with them they went to my parent’s house then immediately to my job site. Was really awkward to have my boss come down and say “Hey the FBI is here looking for you”
Worked for a large MSP that also owned around 20 data centers,Hi our office was located in NJ across the river from NYC. We would get visits from FBI and other agencies whenever a server was compromised or there were issues with the content being hosted on those dedicated servers. Since our offices and DC required ID to be presented, they did present their credentials. The meetings nearly always were arranged through our legal team and maybe a few times did someone show up as a surprise.
We were part of this operation [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Web_Tryp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Web_Tryp)
In 1999 there was a tragic loss during a race at a speedway, they asked the public for information about the crash. I was able to see the whole thing from my seat so I called them.
Then someone started leaving pipe bombs at stores owned by the title sponsor of the track. The FBI interviewed everyone who had contacted the track so I was interviewed at work by the FBI. They finally caught the bomber.
Yes. My grandfather was in the FBI
Yeah, when I was a kid. They were investigating one of my mom’s clients if I remember right. They called her ahead of time and set up an appointment to come talk to her. Very uneventful.
As a teen, I had federal marshals show up at my house after some friends and I stole some street signs from a national park…they tried to be intimidating but 14-year-old me was way too cocky to care. I also refused to admit anything to them. (We did return the signs, though.)
I’ve known a few agents, but they were friends/acquaintances. I’ve never been on the business end of the badge.
If a law enforcement officer is engaging you in an official capacity, they are supposed to identify themselves verbally and by showing their credentials. This is to protect them as much as it is to notify you. There are a whole bunch of things they are not supposed to do if they have not properly identified themselves. A half decent lawyer will have a field day in court with an officer of any sort who verifiably failed to identify themselves, especially in the case of FBI where they do not wear uniforms.
My ex-brother in law’s brother (my sister’s ex-husband’s brother) was a US Marshall and his wife was an FBI agent, I met them a number of times at family holiday events, etc. (The both worked out of the Murray Building in Oklahoma city, thankfully they were both out of the office on the day of the bombing, but they lost many friends and co-workers that day) I also had a Great Aunt on my mother’s side of the family, that while not an agent, retired from the FBI with 30 years of service in the fingerprinting division in Washington DC (from 1939-1969), She had photos of where she worked during the 1940’s where they had a giant open building the size of an aircraft hanger filled with tables arranged in rows and columns, with each table covered with fingerprint cards, all arranged in stacks each in its own row and column. This allowed for matching fingerprints before computers. Each row of tables would have one fingerprint trait in common, then each column of tables would have another trait, then on that table row and column of car would have its own set of traits, which quickly allowed narrowing down to only a single stack of cards though would each need to individually be compared to an unknown fingerprint.
Yep. Growing up, my best friends dad was an FBI agent.
He was a super normal, almost too normal, run of the mill guy.
We got in a lot of trouble with him after we took his “suction cup” cop light out of his car and pulled people over all night.
I do know there were kids houses we absolutely weren’t allowed to go to. His dad knew the details and we were not supposed to go there.
I had to get security clearances for my job, and part of that was an interview with an FBI agent. He was a normal looking dude, pretty chill. Looked like he could be any random office worker. He showed me his badge and ID, but didn’t flash them directly in my face like you see on tv, just held them out for me to confirm who he was.
My father worked for the DOD at the Pentagon, and my best friend growing up was the daughter of an FBI agent. The FBI agents I met were at social events so, no, they did not flash their badge.
I also learned that spies are deliberately some of the most unremarkable people you’ll ever encounter. They culture a forgettable or mild persona. They are also preternaturally calm in any crisis. They do not have an excitability button. My father had to keep up an inane conversation with a spy while they worked together to locate bugs in a room in the USSR. My father was stressed trying to sound natural and interested in a boring conversation while multitasking, while for the spy it was just another Tuesday.