KBI Agency History

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) was established in 1939 by the Kansas Legislature to combat the increasing magnitude and complexity of crime in general and bank robberies in particular. The KBI is a division of the Office of Attorney General and is headed by a director appointed by the Attorney General.

When established, the KBI was directed to conduct investigations at the request of the Attorney General and local law enforcement and to maintain state criminal justice records. Later, the KBI Laboratory was added and the KBI, traditionally, has also assisted in the training of local law enforcement officers and provided crime trend information to public officials, local law enforcement and citizens.