About
the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
In
1967, the Florida Legislature merged the responsibilities of several state criminal justice organizations to create the Bureau
of Law Enforcement. The Bureau began with 94 positions, headed by a Commissioner who reported to the Governor, certain Cabinet
members, two Sheriffs, and one Chief of Police. In July 1969, after government restructuring, the Bureau became the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement.
Today,
the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is headed by a Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor and approved by the
Cabinet. Headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida Department of Law Enforcement employs nearly 2,000 members statewide who work
at the department’s seven Regional Operations Centers, 15 field offices and seven crime laboratories. The members of
Florida Department of Law Enforcement are guided by four fundamental values as they respond to the needs of Florida’s
citizens and criminal justice community: service, integrity, respect, and quality.
The
Florida Department of Law Enforcement is structured to deliver services in five program areas: Executive Direction and Business
Support Program; Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science Program; Florida Capitol Police Program; Criminal Justice Information
Program; and, Criminal Justice Professionalism Program.
Through
the Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science Program, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides investigative,
forensic, and protective services to local, state, and federal agencies. The Investigations and Forensic Science Program provides
Investigative Services, Public Assistance Fraud Services, Mutual Aid and Protective Services, and Crime Laboratory Services.
The
Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducts independent investigations and coordinates multi-jurisdictional and special
criminal investigations with local, state, and federal authorities in four key investigative focus areas: major drugs, violent
crime, public integrity, and fraud/economic crime. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides specialized investigative
assistance for computer crime cases, and gathers and shares intelligence information with other criminal justice agencies
through the Office of Statewide Intelligence. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also serves as the agency responsible
for coordinating and directing counter-terrorism efforts for the state of Florida, and works closely with the Division of
Emergency Management and other federal, state, and local agencies to implement Florida’s Domestic Security Strategy.
This includes the coordination of the state’s seven Regional Domestic Security Task Forces, which are co-chaired by
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agents in Charge and Florida Sheriffs and serve as the foundation of Florida’s
integrated efforts for homeland security.
The
Florida Department of Law Enforcement also investigates fraud and abuse in Florida’s public assistance programs. Primarily,
these investigations are in the cash assistance, food stamp, Medicaid, school readiness and subsidized child day care programs.
Investigations are conducted on program recipients, employees of the various assistance programs suspected of compromising
their official positions, and providers of day care services.
Source:
fdle.state.fl.us
