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).

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

The Florida LEL Program is staffed by experienced law enforcement professionals, including retired officers and those still serving as reserve or part-time officers. Collectively, the team has over 200 years of law enforcement experience. Each of Florida’s seven FDOT districts is supported by a 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 traffic safety mobilizations, reinforcing a culture of effective and sustained enforcement. 

LELs also play an integral 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, facilitate the exchange of critical information, including officer training, crash data, checkpoints, and legal updates, and foster interagency collaboration. LELs conduct quarterly Local Area Network (LAN) meetings and training sessions, and implement high-visibility 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 directly contributes to reducing crashes, improving roadway safety, and saving lives.