The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States, handling federal criminal investigations and national security matters. Canadians frequently encounter FBI references in American news and entertainment. The closest Canadian equivalent is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which serves as both federal police and provincial/local police under contract in many areas. Key differences: the FBI operates only at the federal level (investigating federal crimes, terrorism, counterintelligence), while the RCMP has broader roles including contract policing. Canadian domestic intelligence is primarily handled by CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service), while the RCMP focuses on law enforcement. Understanding these differences helps interpret American media and recognize that police and security structures differ significantly between countries.