Civil Rights

The FBI is the primary federal agency responsible for investigating all allegations associated with violations of federal civil rights statutes. These laws are designed to protect the civil rights of all persons - citizens and non-citizens alike - within the United States territory. The mission of the Civil Rights Program is to enforce federal civil rights statutes and ensure that the protected rights of all persons in the United States are not abridged. In 2002, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III identified the Civil Rights Program as the 5th overall investigative priority within the FBI. The Civil Rights Program is divided into four sub-programs. In order of priority, these investigative sub-programs are:

(1) Hate Crimes,
(2) "Color of Law,"
(3) Human Trafficking, and
(4) Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.

Because of the nature of civil rights violations and the impact of that crime on the community, civil rights investigations must be immediately addressed. Many successful civil rights investigations were initiated based simply on a “tip” or information received by individuals who may be aware of, or witness to, some form of wrongdoing. If you would like to report information regarding possible civil rights violations or to obtain more information, please contact the Denver Division of the FBI.

For additional details concerning the Civil Rights Program of the FBI, please see this Civil Rights program brochure.