"Director Mueller needs to reorganize and reform the FBI, but he has to fix the root of the problem: the bureau's cultural problems with preventing crimes, putting image over substance and cooperating with other agencies. Making technology and intelligence analysis priorities are no-brainers, but a new organization chart alone won't work.
"I think Mueller should take the advice of FBI whistleblower Coleen Rowley and not try to investigate terrorism out of bureaucrat central, FBI headquarters. Field agents are the eyes and ears of the FBI, and supervisors in Washington need to assist them, not derail their investigations. A super squad of agents flying around the country who don't have local contacts or even know their way around town is going to be a super mistake.
"Coleen Rowley's letter is the one of the best examples of spotlighting what's wrong with the FBI and what needs to change. It's a shame that it took so long for the public to see how the good work of rank-and-file FBI agents gets sabotaged by the upper level bureaucrats at FBI headquarters. To be successful with this reorganization, Director Mueller needs to send a clear signal that he will value and reward the good work of the field agents and demonstrate zero tolerance for the kind of manipulation and obstruction at headquarters seen in the Moussaoui case.
"The reorganization effort must shift the FBI's mind-set from arrest and prosecution to prevention. The director will meet a lot of resistance to change inside the FBI. His commitment to real reform and a new way of doing business from the top down will determine if this effort succeeds."