Published: July 11, 2008 07:58 pm      

PROFILE: Bennett breaks bureau barriers

As the FBI celebrates 100 years, Laurie Bennett makes her own history

One hundred years ago, when the Federal Bureau of Investigation was founded, there were no women agents.

The agency known for “G-men” didn’t welcome women agents into its ranks until 1972.

Now, as the FBI celebrates its centennial year, the agency’s first ever female agent to oversee a field office is celebrating almost two years on the job in Buffalo.

Laurie Bennett, an 18-year veteran of the agency, created FBI history when she became the special agent-in-charge of the Buffalo field office. Bennett says she wanted to make the move from the agency’s Washington D.C. headquarters to Western New York.

“I came for the weather, I love snow,” the Green Bay, Wis., native said with a laugh. “I thought it would be a really exciting office. The Buffalo Division has a great reputation and works a lot of diverse cases.”

Bennett said her prior experience working counter-terrorism cases and the area’s multiple foreign border crossings were intriguing. However, she also said the Western New York area itself was reason enough to come here.

“It’s actually not as cold as Wisconsin. I love it (here). It’s like home,” Bennett said. “I thought it was a very livable community and it’s not just about the job, it’s about family. (Western New York) had an NFL team (the Bills) for my husband and an NHL team (the Sabres) for my son.”

Not surprisingly, coming from Green Bay, sources have suggested that Bennett might be a “Cheese Head” as Packer fans are called. There are unconfirmed reports that her office has significant Packers products in it.

“I have the “Green and Gold” blood,” Bennett confessed. “But I love my Buffalo Bills, too.

She insists there is Bills’ gear in her office as well.

Although women have been in the bureau for over 35 years now, Bennett realizes their move to the top echelon in the agency remains a relatively recent development. She said she was drawn to her work by the challenges it presents.

“It is challenging, yes. No one day is ever the same,” Bennett said. “And the employees here are very passionate about what they do. It’s an honor to work here.”

Bennett agrees with her boss, FBI Director Robert Mueller III, that the agency’s primary missions have changed dramatically since Sept. 11, 2001. Terrorism, she said, is the No. 1 priority of the Buffalo Field Office.

“Certainly first and foremost (in the office’s priorities) is protecting Western New York and this nation from any terrorist attack,” Bennett said.

She’s proud of the close working relationships she has forged with her Canadian law enforcement counterparts and with other federal, state and local police agencies here. Falls Police Superintendent John Chella has a “very high opinion” of Bennett.

“The thing I like about Laurie is she and I meet regularly to discuss issues involving the Falls Police Department and the FBI,” Chella said. “She is very accessible.”

Going forward, in addition to terrorism, Bennett sees her agents becoming ever more involved in working with local police agencies on gang and drug cases and escalating urban violence.

“People want to come home to a safe home,” she said. “We also have a growing senior population, so I’m sure we’ll be looking closely at health care fraud (cases).”

Bennett says her move here has been rewarding both personally and professionally. She expects that to continue as well.

“What I like best is the challenge of trying to keep the nation safe. It’s very interesting work,” she said. “And I like working with the people here because of their dedication.”