In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the FBI is in the midst of a reorganization that reflects a profound shift in the FBI's mission priorities. Historically the FBI has investigated violations of federal law, reacting after the crime was committed and viewing successful prosecutions as one of the key benchmarks of success. While the FBI has long discharged its foreign counterintelligence mission, this role was limited and often viewed through a law enforcement and case specific prism. The FBI reorganization is geared toward changing the way the agency does its business, increasing the emphasis on looking ahead and around corners, divining trends or threats through better analysis of intelligence, in order to prevent another terror attack. The FBI has undergone previous reorganizations, and major changes were on the horizon even without 9/11, but no reorganization has been so sweeping nor has any been initiated with the intent of so clearly refocusing the priorities of the FBI. The FBI is now focused on preventing terror attacks against the United States and the reorganization reflects the undisputed importance of this mission. Successful prosecution is now viewed as a means to the end of preventing terror attacks as opposed to an end unto itself. How Director Mueller and other senior officials determined the FBI post 9/11 reorganization plan reflects, not surprisingly, the interplay of people, organizations, and processes. Specifically, Director Mueller and senior FBI officials developed the reorganization plan from internal reviews lead by senior FBI managers, inputs from outside commissions and agencies, an acknowledged change in the threat environment, and Congressional oversight. Sadly, though not surprisingly, the FBI was moving toward a transformation but lacked both the resources and zeal in its own remaking. Coupled with the absence of comprehensive national strategy regarding terrorism, the tragedy of 9/11 was not averted.

Testimony of David Walker, Comp. Gen. of the U.S. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the FBI needed to refocus its efforts to investigate those attacks and to detect and prevent possible future attacks. To do this the FBI has taken steps to change its priorities and sought to transform itself to more effectively address the potential terrorist threats. This testimony addresses the FBI's: progress in updating its strategic plan; develop. of a strategic human capital plan; realign. of staff resources to priority areas; reallocation of staff resources from its drug prog.; efforts to recruit and hire new personnel to address critical staffing needs; efforts to enhance its training prog.; and implementation of new invest. authorities and to help protect individual civil liberties.

This testimony discusses the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) proposed reorganization and realignment plans. The FBI's plans are part of a broader effort to fundamentally transform the federal government in light of recent trends and long-range fiscal challenges. As it moves into the 21st century, the country faces several key trends, including global interdependence; diverse, diffuse, and asymmetrical security threats; rapidly evolving science and technologies; dramatic shifts in the age and composition of the population; important quality of life issues; and evolving government structures and concepts. The second phase of the reorganization focuses on major aspects of FBI's realignment efforts, including realigning staff, building analytical capacity, the National Infrastructure Protection Center, and recruiting. Other issues include (1) major communications and information technology improvements, (2) development of an internal control system that will ensure protection of civil liberties as investigative constraints are loosened, and (3) management of the ripple effect that changes at the FBI will have on other aspects of the law enforcement community. As the FBI moves to effectively meet the realities and challenges since September 11, it should reconsider employing the major elements of successful transformation efforts used by leading organizations. These elements include strategic planning; strategic human capital management; senior leadership and accountability, realignment of activities, processes, and resources; and internal and external collaboration. Continuous internal, and independent external, monitoring and oversight are essential to ensure that the implementation of the transformation stays on track and achieves its purpose of making the FBI more proactive in the fight against terrorism without compromising civil rights.