In 1933, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had little authority. There was no formal jurisdiction established, making it difficult to pursue and solve cases.
In order to investigate at a local level, FBI agents first needed the permission and cooperation of the local police. In the case of Kansas City, this meant maneuvering intense political machines who often wished the case to remain unsolved. Tom Pendergast, the ruler of the Kansas City mob and political machine, had 123 of 173 police officers personally appointed. In the KCPD, there were 60 ex-convicts on the payroll and more than ten officers with criminal records. The FBI would have had to work through those corrupt officers to investigate any case in Kansas City.
In addition to its lack of jurisdiction, the FBI did not allow its agents to carry guns. Local police officers were armed, yet the national police force was not permitted to have weapons. This is somewhat understandable, as there were few prerequisites to becoming an agent and little training involved.
Without weapons, proper training, or an established jurisdiction, it is understandable why the FBI was not respected throughout the nation. Changes needed to be made to increase the power of the FBI.
In order to investigate at a local level, FBI agents first needed the permission and cooperation of the local police. In the case of Kansas City, this meant maneuvering intense political machines who often wished the case to remain unsolved. Tom Pendergast, the ruler of the Kansas City mob and political machine, had 123 of 173 police officers personally appointed. In the KCPD, there were 60 ex-convicts on the payroll and more than ten officers with criminal records. The FBI would have had to work through those corrupt officers to investigate any case in Kansas City.
In addition to its lack of jurisdiction, the FBI did not allow its agents to carry guns. Local police officers were armed, yet the national police force was not permitted to have weapons. This is somewhat understandable, as there were few prerequisites to becoming an agent and little training involved.
Without weapons, proper training, or an established jurisdiction, it is understandable why the FBI was not respected throughout the nation. Changes needed to be made to increase the power of the FBI.