NCJ Number
108846
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 57 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1988) Pages: 16-18
Date Published
1988
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the Iowa Law Enforcement Intelligence Network (LEIN), a program that trains local law enforcement officers in intelligence investigations, collects and disseminates information on career criminals who cross county and State boundaries, and emphasizes cooperation during intelligence investigations.
Abstract
Established by the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) of the Iowa Department of Public Safety in 1984, LEIN now has 315 sworn officers from 197 law enforcement agencies throughout Iowa and surrounding States. All but 10 of Iowa's county sheriff's departments have deputies involved in the LEIN program. The LEIN program has developed its own 2-week training school. Topics studied include the development and use of informants, intelligence process and analysis, use of electronic surveillance equipment, and surveillance techniques. LEIN is governed by local law enforcement agencies, with each region providing three regional coordinators. One coordinator from each region serves on the LEIN Executive Board, which sets policy and directs the daily operations of the program. Members of LEIN share intelligence information which is collected and computerized at DCI headquarters in Des Moines. Information collected and disseminated by LEIN has been used by LEIN task forces to target, pursue, and arrest career criminals operating in Iowa. The program has also increased cooperation among Iowa law enforcement agencies, enabled law enforcement agencies to set goals according to criminal patterns, and identify needs for specialized equipment.