"The CIA succeeded the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), formed during World War II to coordinate secret espionage activities against the Axis Powers for the branches of the United States Armed Forces. The National Security Act of 1947 established the CIA, affording it "no police or law enforcement functions, either at home or abroad"
CIA Vision, Mission & Values
Vision
One Agency.
One Community.
An Agency unmatched in its core capabilities, functioning as one team, fully integrated into the Intelligence Community.
Mission
We are the nations first line of defense. We accomplish what others cannot accomplish and go where others cannot go. We carry out our mission by:
Collecting information that reveals the plans, intentions and capabilities of our adversaries and provides the basis for decision and action.
Producing timely analysis that provides insight, warning and opportunity to the President and decisionmakers charged with protecting and advancing Americas interests.
Conducting covert action at the direction of the President to preempt threats or achieve US policy objectives.
Core Values
Service. We put Country first and Agency before self. Quiet patriotism is our hallmark. We are dedicated to the mission, and we pride ourselves on our extraordinary responsiveness to the needs of our customers.
Integrity. We uphold the highest standards of conduct. We seek and speak the truthto our colleagues and to our customers. We honor those Agency officers who have come before us and we honor the colleagues with whom we work today.
Excellence. We hold ourselvesand each otherto the highest standards. We embrace personal accountability. We reflect on our performance and learn from that reflection.
https://www.cia.gov/mobile/about-cia/cia-vision-mission-values.html