36 states attend LESO seminar in Battle Creek

Law enforcement personnel and state-level excess property coordinators from 36 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands visited Battle Creek, Michigan, for the Defense Logistics Agency's 25th annual Law Enforcement Support Office National Seminar held at DLA Disposition Services headquarters May 5-6.

The seminar's two-day agenda was packed with discussions and briefings tailored primarily for the governor-appointed state coordinators who serve as a critical liaison between individual law enforcement agencies and LESO. Presenters covered the latest improvements to the Congressionally directed effort that has provided surplus military equipment originally valued at more than $8.4 billion to thousands of participating law enforcement agencies over nearly three decades.

"You are the center of gravity for the success of this program," DLA Disposition Services Chief of Staff Pete Foreman told attendees during seminar kickoff remarks. He stressed that accountability for controlled property remains the highest priority factor for the agency and inventory oversight would remain stringent. He also discussed several policy "enablers" the agency instituted over the past year, like allowing immediate title transfer for commercially available vehicles, prioritizing LESO requisition requests over other special programs, and executing small arms title transfers.

"These are very positive changes that will enable you to do your job better," Foreman said, adding that LESO's focus - outside of property accountability - would remain on minimizing administrative burdens and expanding participation in the coming year.

Katherine Weger is a Montana Highway Patrol purchasing technician who was appointed as a state-level point of contact just four months ago. She attended with two Montana colleagues and said the conference was a great help for those still familiarizing themselves with federal excess material policies and processes.

"It was super informing and a chance to really learn in depth," Weger said. "I had a very broad idea of the program, but this allowed me a useful look at a lot of the specifics. It was very valuable."

Joe Duboise is even newer to his role. The Arkansas Division of Law Enforcement Standards and Training advanced law enforcement trainer was assigned duties as a state-level point of contact for the program just a few weeks before the conference. He said that he had been vaguely aware of LESO and opportunities for free excess equipment for his state's agencies, but his knowledge coming into the role was limited. He said meeting fellow state-level program administrators had helped fill in critical knowledge gaps.

"The conference was great for networking," Duboise said. "Getting to sit down with everybody to talk about how to do things was a big help."

A wide variety of topics were highlighted during the seminar, including demilitarization, aircraft, vehicle, and ammunition policies, Program Compliance Reviews, inventory adjustments and upcoming changes to the online applications used by program participants. A Department of Justice attendee also provided a brief on pathways to federal grant money that he encouraged participants to consider as a supplemental funding source that could be combined with surplus military property to creatively respond to law enforcement challenges. Agency presenters encouraged participants to reach out as often as needed for assistance and support.

"Don't hesitate to continue bringing your ideas and recommendations to the table," LESO Branch Chief Brienne Hallifax told attendees during closing remarks, citing recent process improvements that had come directly from state coordinator recommendations. "We will do everything within our power to try to help you."

Congress first authorized the Defense Logistics Agency to transfer excess military material to law enforcement in the early 90s, and additional legislation in 1997 established LESO to facilitate it. Most excess property requests the agency receives through LESO are for non-controlled items, like personal clothing, office supplies, tools, and emergency response equipment that become the property of law enforcement at no cost. A fraction of additional requests DLA processes are for controlled items, like tactical rolling stock, which make up less than 1% of transfers, and small arms, like pistols and rifles, which represent less than 2%.

Participation guidance and state coordinator contact information can be found on the LESO page.