Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL)

2009 LEL Officers from left to right: Officer Jay Sjogren, Lt. Daniel Welborn, Officer Blain Hatch, Sgt. Kelly Swihart. Photo by Joanna Reed, DOT&PF

Fairbanks Officer B. Safe during 2010 Fairbanks 'Operation Glow'. Photo courtesy of Lt. Daniel Welborn, Fairbanks PD.

Juneau PD Officer Blain Hatch working with school children. Photo courtesy of Officer Blain Hatch, Juneau PD.

Background

The Alaska Highway Safety Office and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Pacific Northwest Office work with the Juneau, Fairbanks, Wasilla and Kenai Police Departments to foster Alaska's Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) program. Trained LEL Officers serve as a bridge of communication between the Highway Safety Office and state and local law enforcement agencies to improve the development and implementation of statewide initiatives focusing on traffic safety, education, and law enforcement.

Purpose of the LEL Program

• Enable constant communication between the AHSO and the law enforcement community. 
• Communicate the traffic safety priorities of Alaska.
• Promote traffic law enforcement of DUI and seatbelt laws, aggressive driving and child passenger safety.
• Help identity effective traffic law enforcement tactics and communicate these best practices to law enforcement agencies.

Alaska's Law Enforcement Liaisons

Wasilla - Sgt. William Rapson	Fairbanks - Lt. Daniel Welborn
Kenai - Officer Jay Sjogren	Juneau - Officer Blain Hatch

 

Alaska's LEL officers work with the Highway Safety Office to help foster a close working relationship between the law enforcement community and the HSO. The officers above were chosen because of their deep rooted commitment to this idea and it is our hope to see many more join their ranks in the future.

All of Alaska's highly qualified LEL Officers exhibit the same exceptional skills:

• Initiative
• Attention to detail
• Ability to accept critical feedback
• Team player
• Leadership
• Communication skills

 

Challenge Coins

Front of the Challenge Coin

Back of the Challenge Coin

 

Awards for Support and Leadership for Alaska Impaired Driving and Occupant Protection Programs

Chief Lindhag, Chief Supkis, Chief Hoffman, Major Mulhollen, Chief McGee, and Chief Greenleaf receiving their awards. Photo courtesey of Lt. Dan Welborn.

Captain Barrick shakes hands with Lt. Welborn after receiving his award. Photo courtesey of Lt. Dan Welborn.

Juneau PD Officer Blain Hatch working with school children. Photo courtesy of Officer Blain Hatch, Juneau PD.

 

Resources for Law Enforcement

• NHTSA Resources for a Successful Drunk Driving Crackdown (1 MB)
• Increase the Visibility and Effectiveness of Law Enforcement Efforts (253 KB)
• Operation Glow (2.9 MB)

 

April 29, 2010 - Click It AND Ticket
Kenai Central High School students team up with the Kenai Police Department to promote seatbelt use. The week-long event was called "Click It & Ticket".

• Click It & Ticket Interview (MP3 Format) (2.3 MB)
• Peninsula Clarion article describing the event
• Copy of the "Citations" used by the students (827 KB)

Photo courtesy of Merrill Sikorski

Photo courtesy of Merrill Sikorski