Established in 2000, the Florida Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) Program operates under the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM) and is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Our primary mission is to support and collaborate with law enforcement agencies statewide to enhance traffic safety. By promoting participation in national and state traffic safety campaigns, the Florida LEL Program aims to reduce crashes, fatalities, and serious injuries. To recognize outstanding traffic safety programs, encourage engagement, and foster a comprehensive, data-driven approach to enforcement, the Florida LEL Program conducts the annual Florida Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Challenge.

The Florida LEL Program prioritizes highway safety while fostering active law enforcement involvement. It is staffed by law enforcement professionals with over 200 years of combined experience, including retired officers and those continuing to serve as reserve or part-time officers. Each of Florida’s seven FDOT districts is staffed by a dedicated full-time LEL, with overall program coordination managed by the LEL Coordinator. A core responsibility of LELs is to recruit and encourage law enforcement participation in state and national traffic safety mobilizations, promoting a culture of effective and sustained enforcement.

LELs also play an active role in Florida’s traffic safety coalitions and district Community Traffic Safety Teams (CTSTs). They assist agencies in securing grant funding to address traffic safety challenges and expand programs, and facilitate the exchange of critical information, including officer training, crash data, checkpoints, and legal updates. Additionally, LELs foster interagency coordination and organize quarterly Local Area Network (LAN) meetings and training sessions, and implement traffic safety campaigns such as Click It or Ticket, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, and Operation Southern Slow Down.

The Florida LEL Program has significantly increased law enforcement participation in traffic safety initiatives statewide. This engagement contributes to reducing crashes, improving roadway safety, and saving lives.