PoliceLink

   This may have been addressed before but I was wondering the powers of the FBI and other Federal agencies for a crime in progress. I know the Federal code gives them power over Federal laws, but I was wondering how that translates to off duty walking down the street stuff. Do they have powers like a peace officer to maintain the peace and prevent crime? In the case of an assault, this could fall under federal law how do they respond? And just for the record I am speaking of the Agents, not the FBI Police, uniformed etc...

Another question, if any of you guys,gals work for DC Metro may answer. Does the Metro PD have jurisdiction on federal properties in the city. I know that most Municipal PD'S don't, but then again DC is a Federal city. Anyway just curious, something to talk about!!!

US Capitol Police have jurisdiction on the "Federal" properties (meaning, The US Capitol Building, The House and Senate Buildings, The Mall and various/all monuments, etc) However, DC Metro will assist USCP in a supporting roll if needed (inside these facilities). I am not sure if they have duel jurisdiction per se, but I would think so. I'm pretty sure DC Metro controls the streets adjacent these places of interest too. Also the Park Police have limited jurisdiction in some places in DC (like on RockCreek Parkway and the GW Parkway). 

Its one of the most confusing places in the country. Because you have somewhere in the neighborhood of 65 different LE agencies in this small area. And they all have a piece of jurisdiction in one form or another.

FBI Agents are agents 24 hours a day and are always on call, so........if they didn't intervien in a situation where a felony was being committed, I would think they would get hung out to dry the next day. FBI would never embarass themselves by NOT taking action...... Regardless of the circumstance.

On the power of federal agents for state violations, it may vary by state. Texas specifies that certain specified federal agents have the same powers as a peace officer for felonies and none for misdemeanors. They always have tthe same powers as any other citizen for states that allow citizen arrests.

But I think the previous poster was also correct in that an FBI agent would intervene in almost any crime he saw in progress, just as almost any LEO would, regarless of the specifics of the law.