Federal Law Enforcement Policy and Practice Regarding Bank Robberies

In spite of Federal law enforcement policy calling for a restrictive application of Federal resources in areas of concurrent jurisdiction, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. attorneys have established investigative and prosecutive practices relating to bank robberies which have resulted in local authorities playing a subordinate role. The Federal investigative effort in bank robberies is not warranted because: bank robberies are not very different from robberies of other commercial establishments; the typical bank robbery was not very complex and gang operations were minimal; and only a small percentage of bank robbers committed their robberies in more than one State. The FBI role as the principal investigative agency in bank robberies has been justified by the FBI nationwide jurisdiction and ability to link bandits to multiple robberies. Local police probably could have solved most of the robberies examined, and the FBI, even with a reduced role, could have assisted State and local police in cases of multiple robberies. Also, more bank robbery prosecutions are possible at the local level. Only two of eight U.S. attorneys reviewed have taken action to reduce the Federal role. The Attorney General should: direct the FBI to establish and carry out a plan, to go into effect after a reasonable transition period, to minimize its investigative involvement in bank robberies; and establish prosecutive guidelines for bank robbery to minimize Federal prosecution except in cases where Federal procedures facilitate prosecution.