J. Edgar Hoover

J. Edgar Hoover

Former Senator Joseph McCarthy put it perfectly when he said, "Ð'... for the FBI is J. Edgar Hoover and I think we can rest assured that it will always be." (qtd. in Denenberg 7). J. Edgar Hoover is credited for reconstructing the Bureau of Investigations (later renamed Federal Bureau of Investigations). Regardless of how people saw him, Hoover was powerful and committed, and did everything within his power to improve the agency that would make this country a safer place for all.

John Edgar Hoover was born New Years Day in 1895. After years of education and law school he started as a third generation government worker in July 1917 as a clerk for the Justice Department (Denenberg 23,25-26). In 1919 he was promoted to acting director and later to director in 1924. He ran the FBI until his death on May 2, 1972 at the age of 77 (DeLoach 226).

With all of the changes to the system that occurred because of his hard work, J. Edgar Hoover is referred to as the "father of modern-day law enforcement" (DeLoach 226). Hoover can take credit for separating the Bureau from politics, raising standards for agents, and implementing many other necessary crime programs (DeLoach 226-227).

Most people were frightened of Hoover and this caused an attempt to portray him, through the media, in a manner that was far from complimentary (DeLoach 228). It is very difficult to find positive information about him; but no one can deny the hard work and accomplishments he made for the good of this country.

To this day, he is the longest-serving leader of an executive branch agency, having served through the terms of eight presidents. He had good standing relationships with all the presidents regardless of their political position. Herbert Hoover (no relation) recommended J. Edgar Hoover to the attorney general for his director position with the Bureau based on his previous performances. No president came close to firing him (Hoover 34-35). For almost three generations, and even now, it is almost impossible to think of the FBI without thinking of Hoover.

Democrats accused him of being Republican just as Republicans accused him of being Democrat. Hoover himself was not political. He was just as skeptical, scornful and vindictive in the treatment of right-wingers and left-wingers he didn't like (Hoover 40). Hoover swept through the department and fired agents with questionable political ties. There were no more appointments or promotions based on personnel connections, its foundation must come from hard work and loyalty to the department itself (Denenberg 31). He eliminated the political influence on the department.

Education in law, accounting, languages or science was an earlier requirement that Hoover revived. Any agent already in office who was not qualified or who had a criminal record was fired (Denenberg 31). Background checks, interviews, and physical testing became required for all new applicants (Directors). Hoover developed extensive training programs and followed the requirements himself. All agents had to be in top physical condition, and be of outstanding appearance and character. Drinking alcohol was prohibited on and off duty (Denenberg 35). Hoover held discipline as the most important trait. He saw "Ð'... an undisciplined law enforcement agency as a menace to society" (Hoover 39). For himself and the people of the FBI, Mr. Hoover set rigid standards of personal behavior. Many agents who were reluctant to work under the strict guidelines quit (Denenberg 31). He never apologized for the high standards for agents; he saw it as a necessity for the FBI's success (Hoover 41). To this day, Hoover's contribution to law enforcement management and training make him one of the greatest in the law enforcement field.

The agents treated the suspects with integrity and used physiological tactics to get the information needed. For example, when accused kidnapper John Henry Seadlund was apprehended and taken in for questioning Hoover ordered his requested meal, and in turn received a full confession for keeping