The Florida Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) Program operates under the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM) through grant-funding by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The primary goals of the LEL Program are to partner with state, county, university, and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state to promote and enhance participation in NHTSA’s education and enforcement initiatives, as well as to recognize law enforcement agencies with outstanding traffic safety programs through the annual Florida Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Challenge. By raising awareness and encouraging engagement in these initiatives, the LEL Program aims to reduce crashes, fatalities, and serious injuries.

Established in 2000, Florida’s LEL Program is designed to prioritize highway safety while fostering active law enforcement involvement. The program consists of experienced professionals, including both retired law enforcement officers and those who continue to serve as reserve or part-time officers. Each of the seven FDOT districts has a dedicated full-time LEL, with overall coordination managed by the LEL Coordinator. One of their key responsibilities is to recruit and encourage participation from state and local law enforcement in national and state traffic safety mobilizations, continuously working to create a culture of sustained and effective traffic enforcement.

In addition, LELs actively participate in the state’s traffic safety coalitions and district Community Traffic Safety Teams (CTSTs). They assist agencies in securing grants to address traffic safety deficiencies or expand ongoing programs and facilitate the exchange of vital information, including training opportunities, crash data, safety and sobriety checkpoints, and legal updates. Their responsibilities also include fostering interagency coordination and organizing quarterly traffic safety meetings to address local safety issues, provide training, and implement traffic safety campaigns.

The involvement of state LELs has significantly increased the number of law enforcement agencies participating in traffic safety activities, contributing to a reduction in crashes.