FBI Reorganizes to Meet New Threats

The FBI today announced a major organizational restructuring to better meet the threat of terrorism. Investigating crimes and terrorist acts after they have happened is deemed inadequate given the magnitude of terrorist acts today. Instead, the FBI will concentrate on prevention of acts of terrorism and crimes.

At a press conference at FBI Headquarters, Director Robert Mueller described proposed changes including new priorities topped by counterterrorism, counterintelligence and cyber security. "After 9/11," said Mueller, "it was clear that we needed to fundamentally change the way we do business."

Mueller said that new technologies are required and that the bureau must collaborate with others and do a better job of managing, analyzing and sharing information. "We need a different approach that puts prevention above all else," he said.

The FBI's new "strategic focus" includes the following priorities:

• 1. Protect the United States from terrorist attack
• 2. Protect the United States against foreign intelligence operations and espionage
• 3. Protect the United States against cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes
• 4. Combat public corruption at all levels
• 5. Protect civil rights
• 6. Combat transnational and national criminal organizations and enterprises
• 7. Combat major white-collar crime
• 8. Combat significant violent crime
• 9. Support federal, state, local and international partners
• 10. Upgrade technology to successfully perform the FBI's mission.

In addition, near-term actions are outlined, including:

• 1. Restructure Counterterrorism Division at FBIHQ a) Redefine relationship between HQ and field b)Shift from reactive to proactive orientation
• 2. Establish "flying squads" to coordinate national and international investigations
• 3. Establish national Joint Terrorism Task Force
• 4. Substantially enhance analytical capabilities with personnel and technology a) Expand use of data mining, financial record analysis, and communications analysis to combat terrorism b)Establish the Office of Intelligence
• 5. Build a national terrorism response capability that is more mobile, agile, and flexible, e.g., use of "flying squads" and regional assets
• 6. Permanently shift additional resources to counterterrorism
• 7. Augment overseas capabilities and partnerships
• 8. Target recruitment to acquire agents, analysts, translators and others with specialized skills and backgrounds
• 9. Enhance counterterrorism training for FBI and law enforcement partners.

Perhaps responding to concerns that an effective response to terrorism would impinge on civil liberties, Mueller said: "And we must never forget that our actions must be undertaken according to a constitutional and statutory framework that protects the rights and privacy of our citizens. That too is part of our culture, representing an appreciation unique to those who enforce the laws."