   FOCUS ON COOPERATION: THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNCIL
                   A LAW ENFORCEMENT UMBRELLA

                               By

                    Ordway P. Burden, M.B.A.
                           Chairperson
                National Law Enforcement Council
                         Washington, DC
                               and
                            President
              Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation
                        Nanuet, New York


     Complex, multijurisdictional investigations illustrate the
lack of communication and cooperation that sometimes exists
between law enforcement agencies. Even when they are working on
the same case, local, State, and Federal officers may keep to
themselves, refusing to exchange information. Tension increases
in high-profile cases, as the media emphasize every incident in
which it seems that law enforcement cannot get along.

     The National Law Enforcement Council (NLEC) attempts to
break down the barriers between agencies and to enhance
interagency communication and cooperation. Founded in 1979, the
NLEC serves as the umbrella organization for 14 major
associations in the criminal justice field, including such groups
as the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Troopers
Coalition, the National Sheriffs' Association, the National
District Attorneys Association, and the International Association
of Chiefs of Police.

     The executive heads of the member associations meet six to
eight times per year in Washington, DC.  At these meetings,
leaders in the criminal justice field--such as the FBI Director,
the Attorney General, and the chairman and ranking members of the
House and Senate Judiciary Committees--formally address the
council, followed by a question-and-answer session.

     Prior to each speech, NLEC members meet with the guest
speaker informally, which encourages communication and allows
council members to understand better the issues facing today's
national law enforcement leaders. At the same time, the guest
speaker learns what concerns the leaders of officers in the
field.

     Perhaps just as valuable is the networking that occurs
between NLEC members. They quickly establish a rapport and
broaden their understanding of one another's problems and
concerns.

     These meetings often produce unforeseen, yet worthwhile,
results. For example, when the president of the Association of
Federal Investigators (AFI) met the head of the Federal Criminal
Investigators Association (FCIA), they realized that both
associations had essentially the same goals, but different
membership bases. The AFI consisted of middle and top-level
Federal supervisors, while field agents formed the backbone of
the FCIA.

     The two leaders agreed that merging the two organizations
represented a natural and logical course of action. The members
of each group concurred and approved the merger. As a result, the
Federal Investigators Association, with some 5,000 members,
represents Federal investigators of all ranks and jurisdictions.

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

     Although the NLEC does not lobby Congress directly,
individual members do. These representatives often present the
council's views at congressional committee hearings when invited
to do so. In addition, member associations testify before
Congress on a variety of important criminal justice issues.

     Members of the council also have led the way in supporting
crime legislation. NLEC members have met with congressional
sponsors of crime bills to offer suggestions and to express their
opinions on areas of particular concern. These meetings between
congressional and NLEC members have resulted in legislation that
has, for example, increased the types of crimes punishable by the
death penalty, limited the rules of habeas corpus, enacted
mandatory minimum prison sentences, and streamlined the criminal
justice system.

     However, Federal legislation represents merely one concern
of the NLEC. Council meetings also serve as a forum for
discussing legislation that directly impacts State and local law
enforcement officers. In many States, law enforcement officers
are working with citizens to abolish parole for violent criminals
and to get "Three-Strikes-and-You're-Out" initiatives on election
ballots.

OTHER ISSUES

     Efforts to effect crime legislation reflect law
enforcement's desire to improve society. In addition, pay,
retirement, and other personnel issues represent additional areas
of concern to NLEC members because criminal justice professionals
can better serve their communities when they receive personal
satisfaction from their jobs.

     In January 1994, members testified before the House of
Representatives Subcommittee on Compensation and Employee
Benefits regarding special classification and pay for Federal law
enforcement officers. At the request of the committee chairman,
NLEC members provided language for a congressional bill to
provide Federal law enforcement officers with enhanced pay. The
resulting bill demonstrates the Government's recognition that
because law enforcement officers represent the first line of
defense against crime, their pay should reflect this
responsibility. Further, Federal legislation serves as a model
for State and local legislation.

CONCLUSION

     For over 15 years, the National Law Enforcement Council has
served as a forum for law enforcement administrators to discuss
important issues and to network with their peers. The rapport
these professionals establish provides the foundation for a solid
working relationship. As a result, whether investigating a major
case or testifying before Congress, NLEC members work together to
protect their communities. Indeed, this law enforcement umbrella
is big enough to shelter an entire country.

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