As A Justice Practitioner, Why Should I Care About Global?
And Concluding Thoughts
Interviewer (I)
GAC Chairman Robert Boehmer (RB)
GAC Vice Chairman Carl Wicklund (CW)
I: I’m going to wrap up by putting our leaders on the spot, so let me throw that out to you two and say: you have a few minutes to tell someone about Global. What are you going to tell them? Why should they be interested?
CW: Want me to go first, Bob?
RB: Sure.
CW: Well, Global is where it’s at when it comes to collaboration through state, local, tribal, and federal agencies in the sharing and protecting of justice information. All entities have the opportunity to be involved in the development of information sharing solutions and in policy recommendations that ensure that all of us within the United States are winners. I think it is important that people understand that information sharing has left the barn, and Global provides the solutions to help agencies keep up with that movement. The solutions that have been developed by Global can save lives, save money in the long run, and protect individuals’ and groups’ privacy and civil liberties at the same time. And, in short, it helps ensure that the right information gets to the right people in the right place at the right time. All entities in the justice system are represented and state, local, and tribal entities have a majority vote in Global, so that’s why I would tell people it’s important to check out what’s going on with Global and to stay abreast of the things that are happening with Global.
I: That’s fantastic. Bob?
RB: Just to supplement what Carl said, I think I would summarize it by saying it’s solutions for the field, developed by the field. And to echo the remark, it is really a collaborative approach across all levels of government, across the justice system. If you’re in the justice system, you’re in information sharing, either as a technologist or a policymaker, you can be involved, too. You can see what’s going on because we are transparent, but we also want your input and there are ways to get your input to us so that we can help solve those problems that you’re identifying in the field. We welcome that participation as well.
I: That’s fantastic. And for those of you listening who would like to be involved and provide your input to the Global Initiative, if you go to the Web site, there is a function to contact somebody at Global. Please e-mail us or send your questions or comments, and we will get back to you. We really do encourage your participation, your feedback, anything you wish to offer because, again, it is, as Bob said, solutions for the field by people in the field, so we want you involved. I’d like to thank our Global leaders for their time today and hope that you will visit us on the site often www.it.ojp.gov and thank you very much, gentlemen.
