A law enforcement liaison service (LELS) is a non-law enforcement professional that responds to calls in partnership with a police officer. These professionals help divert individuals from the traditional criminal justice system to more appropriate community resources, freeing up law enforcement resources for more pressing cases. These professionals can also be hired to conduct research on community needs.
Functions of a law enforcement liaison service
Liaison officers are hired by law enforcement agencies to provide education to the public and other stakeholders about crime prevention and public safety. Liaison officers also work with campus security on educational programs to inform students about the dangers of sexual assault and other crimes. These officers also serve as an important resource for investigators who rely on their work to gather evidence and interview victims and witnesses. Some cities also hire liaison officers to work with people affected by elder abuse and domestic violence.
Another role played by law enforcement liaisons is to coordinate court activities. They coordinate with the court to schedule officers’ court appearances and help them prepare for testimony. Court liaisons also make sure that court-related documentation is released to attorneys and victims in a timely manner. They also help law enforcement agencies understand how the court system works.
Liaison officers must be well-versed in the law, the legal system, and police codes. They should also have a thorough knowledge of local laws, rules, and procedures to effectively deal with the community.
Training requirements
A career in law enforcement liaison service requires training in several different areas, including criminal justice, public safety, and public policy. The most common types of liaison officers are police officers, community liaison officers, and school liaison officers. The training requirements for each of these positions will vary based on the job description, but a high school diploma is usually the minimum education requirement. Some companies also prefer candidates who have a college degree.
The NTOA Managing Critical Incidents course is designed to give police officers essential information they need to succeed in large-scale critical incidents. It covers NIMS (National Incident Management System) review and the tools and techniques to successfully respond to active threats. It also discusses the roles of Incident Commanders, including the responsibilities and techniques of command decision-making.
The UPTP program is constantly updated and modified to meet the needs of law enforcement agencies. Any changes are discussed with POs and implemented when there is consensus. The UPTP program is designed to train full-time law enforcement officers and agents. Upon completion, attendees are expected to meet agency recruitment standards and FLETC’s physical performance requirements.
Cost
The cost of law enforcement liaison service varies depending on the type of services provided. The most common services include addressing traffic violations, crime scene investigation, and victim advocacy. This type of service can increase the cost of police attendance by PS53 per hour, but it does not increase the number of police actions.
Costs are measured by identifying the individual resource use and client cost drivers. This allows for comparison of cost trends over time. Individuals who are on a caseload for fewer than two months experienced higher costs. However, individuals who are on a caseload for two or more months experienced lower costs. Other cost drivers included police attendance at incidents and in-patient services. Cost containment measures can be implemented to improve client behavioural outcomes.
The cost of law enforcement liaison services varies widely from city to city. Atkinson, NE is the city with the highest salary for this service. Its salary is more than twice as high as the national average. Barnstable Town, MA and Frankston, TX are the next highest-paying cities. These two cities outpace the national average by an average of $16,323.