A look forward - Focus on the Future

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,The, Jan, 2004

To build a stronger, more seamless, and more supportive partnership between all facets of law enforcement and the FBI, the Futures Working Group (FWG) formed on April 2, 2002. The FWG represents a partnership between the FBI and the Society of Police Futurists International (PFI), with its noble and ambitious goals that include the development of forecasts and strategies to ethically maximize the effectiveness of local, state, federal, and international law enforcement bodies as they strive to maintain peace and security in the 21st century.

This constitutes a formidable challenge as futurists see unprecedented levels of development and change in the first several years of the 21st century. Breakthrough technologies, such as nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and genetic engineering; changing demographic and cultural conditions; and the threat of international crime and terrorism will challenge the men and women of law enforcement in ways that no one in the profession could have hardly imagined a few short years ago.

Fortunately, the FWG stands ready to meet the challenge. Already, members of the group, who represent some of the best and the brightest in policing, have completed or are developing projects dealing with augmented reality applications for law enforcement, the future of community policing, a national intelligence model for the 21st century, and training programs in applied futuristics for law enforcement. For more information on their activities, visit the FWG home page at http://www.fbi.gov/hq/td/fwg/workhome.htm.>

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