Critical Incident Response Group
Encyclopedia
The Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) is the part of the United States
Federal Bureau of Investigation
which facilitates the FBI's rapid response to, and the management of, crisis incidents. In response to public outcry over the standoffs at Ruby Ridge
, Idaho, and of the Branch Davidians in the Waco Siege
, the FBI formed the CIRG in 1994 to deal more efficiently with crisis situations. The CIRG is designated to formulate strategies, manage hostage or siege situations, and, if humanly possible, resolve them "without loss of life," as FBI Director Louis Freeh
, who assumed the post four-and-a-half months after the Waco fire, pledged in a 1995 Senate hearing.
CIRG was intended to integrate tactical and investigative resources and expertise for critical incidents which necessitate an immediate response from law enforcement authorities. CIRG will deploy investigative specialists to respond to terrorist activities, hostage takings, child abduction
s and other high-risk repetitive violent crimes. Other major incidents include prison riots, bombings, air and train crashes, and natural disasters.
Each of the five major areas of CIRG furnishes distinctive operational assistance and training to FBI field offices as well as state, local and international law enforcement agencies. These groups are the Operations Support Branch, the Tactical Support Branch, the Technical Support Branch, the Strategic Information and Operations Center (SIOC) and the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime
(NCAVC).
Investigations & Operations Support
Strategic Information & Operations
Tactical Operations
Hazardous Devices Operations
Critical Incident Intelligence
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
which facilitates the FBI's rapid response to, and the management of, crisis incidents. In response to public outcry over the standoffs at Ruby Ridge
Ruby Ridge
Ruby Ridge was the site of a violent confrontation and siege in northern Idaho in 1992. It involved Randy Weaver, his family, Weaver's friend Kevin Harris, and agents of the United States Marshals Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation...
, Idaho, and of the Branch Davidians in the Waco Siege
Waco Siege
The Waco siege began on February 28, 1993, and ended violently 50 days later on April 19. The siege began when the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms attempted to execute a search warrant at the Branch Davidian ranch at Mount Carmel, a property located east-northeast of Waco,...
, the FBI formed the CIRG in 1994 to deal more efficiently with crisis situations. The CIRG is designated to formulate strategies, manage hostage or siege situations, and, if humanly possible, resolve them "without loss of life," as FBI Director Louis Freeh
Louis Freeh
Louis Joseph Freeh was the 5th Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, serving from September 1993 to June 2001....
, who assumed the post four-and-a-half months after the Waco fire, pledged in a 1995 Senate hearing.
CIRG was intended to integrate tactical and investigative resources and expertise for critical incidents which necessitate an immediate response from law enforcement authorities. CIRG will deploy investigative specialists to respond to terrorist activities, hostage takings, child abduction
Child abduction
Child abduction or Child theft is the unauthorized removal of a minor from the custody of the child's natural or legally appointed guardians....
s and other high-risk repetitive violent crimes. Other major incidents include prison riots, bombings, air and train crashes, and natural disasters.
Each of the five major areas of CIRG furnishes distinctive operational assistance and training to FBI field offices as well as state, local and international law enforcement agencies. These groups are the Operations Support Branch, the Tactical Support Branch, the Technical Support Branch, the Strategic Information and Operations Center (SIOC) and the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime
National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime
In November 1982, following a meeting between members of the Criminal Personality Research Project advisory board and other specialists, the concept of a single ' was put forward. This elite investigative branch was never envisaged as a replacement for traditional crime investigation by local law...
(NCAVC).
Organization
Surveillance and AviationInvestigations & Operations Support
- National Center for Analysis of Violent CrimeNational Center for the Analysis of Violent CrimeIn November 1982, following a meeting between members of the Criminal Personality Research Project advisory board and other specialists, the concept of a single ' was put forward. This elite investigative branch was never envisaged as a replacement for traditional crime investigation by local law...
(NCAVC) - Behavioral Analysis UnitBehavioral Analysis UnitThe Behavioral Analysis Unit is a component of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime that uses behavioral sciences to assist in criminal investigations...
(BAU) - Violent Criminal Apprehension ProgramViolent Criminal Apprehension ProgramThe Violent Criminal Apprehension Program is a unit of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation responsible for the analysis of serial violent and sexual crimes, organizationally situated within the Critical Incident Response Group's National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime...
(ViCAP) - Rapid Deployment and Logistics
Strategic Information & Operations
- Strategic Information and Operations Center (SIOC)
Tactical Operations
- Hostage Rescue TeamHostage Rescue TeamThe FBI Hostage Rescue Team is the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation's counter-terrorism paramilitary tactical team. The HRT is trained to rescue U.S. citizens and allies who are held by a hostile force, either terrorist or criminal...
(HRT) - Special Weapons and Tactics TeamsFBI Special Weapons and Tactics TeamsFBI Special Weapons and Tactics Teams are specialized tactical teams of the Federal Bureau of Investigation . SWAT agents are specially trained to intervene in high-risk events like hostage and barricade situations. The FBI maintains SWAT teams at each of its 56 field offices throughout the...
(SWAT) - Crisis Negotiation UnitFBI Crisis Negotiation UnitThe FBI's Crisis Negotiation Unit is the part of the Operational Support Branch of its Critical Incident Response Group responsible for the FBI's Crisis Negotiation Program...
(CNU)
Hazardous Devices Operations
- Hazardous Devices School (HDS)
- Special Agent Bomb Technician (SABTs)
Critical Incident Intelligence