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The purpose of the Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC) is to improve cooperation and coordination among law enforcement groups, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the criminal justice system. Today, each of the 93 United States Attorneys has an LECC in place, consisting of federal, state and local agencies involved in district law enforcement. The LECC membership in the Western District of Virginia consists of over 400 members which are included in various mailings from the U.S. Attorney's Office throughout the year on upcoming training, significant events, proposed legislation, and other areas of law enforcement concern. Many districts also have LECC Subcommittees or task forces which consist of LECC agency officials working on specialized tasks, such as drug enforcement or white collar crime. The LECC program has become a permanent cornerstone of joint federal, state and local law enforcement efforts.
The Law Enforcement Coordinator (LEC) serves as the main resource person for state and local law enforcement personnel seeking information regarding activities of federal law enforcement agencies in the district and notifies federal agencies on the organization, operation and responsibilities of local and state law enforcement agencies.
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In the summer of 1981, the Attorney General's Task Force on Violent Crime specifically recommended that each United States Attorney establish a Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC). The bi-partisan Task Force included eight distinguished national criminal justice experts who closely examined federal, state and local law enforcement needs. The recommendation to establish LECCs came as a direct result of the group's finding that federal, state and local law enforcement cooperation was crucial, but that cooperation nationwide was uneven, ranging from nonexistent to good.
The Attorney General of the United States quickly responded to the Task Force recommendations and on July 21, 1981, issued an order instructing every United States Attorney to establish a Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee in his/her district. Also, in response to the Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982, Victim-Witness assistance was also assigned to United States Attorney's Offices. In the Western District of Virginia, the Law Enforcement Coordinator and the Victim/Witness Coordinator work together in many situations.
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In October 1988, Attorney General Dick Thornburgh stated in a speech to United States Attorneys: "The LECCs' effectiveness is undisputed, and they address one of the most basic needs in realizing effective law enforcement: cooperation and coordination between and among federal, state and local agencies. They are not just a good idea; they are a necessary endeavor deserving of all the support we can give them." In a September 1989 speech to United States Attorneys, the Attorney General talked again about the necessity for cooperation with state and local law enforcement, saying: "Through institutions like the Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, those of you who have them know how valuable and useful they can be. Those of you who don't had better get them, because they are an important component of our across-the-board effort to bind the law enforcement community together in an effective way."
In some districts support for both the LECC and the Victim/Witness program have been slow in coming. At times state and local law enforcement officials may hesitate to work with federal law enforcement and at times federal law enforcement may hesitate to work with state and local agencies. But all of us have to stop to recognize what is possible with improved cooperation through LECC.
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Ongoing Programs/Activities - Western District of Virginia
Among the array of significant LECC activities are:
-
Intelligence Assessment Briefings
Lead by the United States Attorney, these "IABs" consist of 2-3 meetings
each month with supervisors of state, local and federal agencies in each of the
seven court divisions within the Western District of Virginia.
- Anti-Terrorism Task Force
Several LECC members also serve on the Anti-Terrorism Task Force which
was created throughout all U.S. Attorney's Offices in the aftermath of
September 11th. - Hate Crimes Working Group
Established in 1999, this group consists of over 25 members representing state and local government, federal and local law enforcement, schools, community and religious organizations. The Hate Crimes Working Group meets bi-monthly to discuss pertinent concerns/projects, and to discuss state, local and community-related upcoming events and activities which could benefit from the group's involvement (i.e., the group sponsored a United Against Hate Month in October 2001.) The U.S. Attorney's Office has hosted several Hate Crimes Awareness seminars and training workshops throughout the district for both law enforcement and the community. - Federal Law Enforcement Agency Head Meetings
Each month approximately 12-15 local federal agency supervisors convene for a breakfast meeting to discuss recent incidents, ongoing cases and/or other areas of concern. - Law Enforcement Telephone Directory
The Law Enforcement Coordinator publishes a Law Enforcement Telephone Directory which includes federal law enforcement and government agencies, as well as a number of state and local departments. This Directory is now accessible through this website and will be continually updated with the most current information available.
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How Can the LECC Help Law Enforcement?
The LECC sponsors several conferences and workshops throughout the year on various topics of interest to all areas of law enforcement. Notice of these events are distributed to all agencies listed on the LECC mailing list. If you have an item of interest which you would like to see covered at a future LECC conference or workshop, please let us know by calling or mailing your idea to: Pat Grisetti, Law Enforcement Coordinator, c/o U.S. Attorney's Office, Post Office Box 1709, Roanoke, Virginia 24008-1709, Telephone: (540) 857-2983.
We receive various literature on law enforcement and victim-witness issues. Please feel free to contact our office if you are looking for particular materials that could assist you with your research.
Most of you know that the federal government can hunt your fugitives or can supply you with the FBI criminal histories of your defendants. You may not know that federal law imposes a mandatory five-year, no parole sentence, for possessing a firearm in a drug offense, and that the firearm sentence is in addition to any sentence on the drug charges. Or, you may not know that if your defendant raises a marihuana crop on his farm or makes a few cocaine sales from his convenience store, we can seize and forfeit the entire farm or the store building and turn over to your jurisdiction up to 80% of the proceeds.
Basically, federal law provides for the forfeiture of any property (it can be real estate, automobiles, money or any personal property) which: (l) is used to facilitate drug trafficking; (2) represents the proceeds or profits of drug trafficking; or (3) is used for certain other criminal violations.
In cases which are entirely federal, the property is forfeited and either placed in use (such as a vehicle) or sold with the proceeds going into the federal treasury.
In jointly investigated cases (those cases investigated by federal and state/local agencies), the forfeited proceeds on the property are equitably shared. For example, if the FBI and the State Police work a case together, putting equal time on the case, then the proceeds would be divided 50-50, after deductions for expenses. For more information on forfeitable property or if you have any questions as to the asset forfeiture program, you may contact Sharon Burnham, Assistant U.S. Attorney, at (540) 857-2255, or Lisa McGuire, Paralegal Specialist, at (540) 857-2950.
The Department of Justice has made forfeitures one of its national priorities as another weapon to be used in the drug wars.
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In Summary...
Each level of law enforcement will benefit from a system of mutual assistance and cooperation. The major objective of the LECC program is to create an environment where the needs of law enforcement are identified and where federal, state and local agencies work together to meet one another's needs. The key to better coordination is communication among the different levels of government.
With new laws and legislation every day, new resources, allocations of financial backing in specific crime fighting, we believe we can assist and help each other.
Pat Grisetti 
Law Enforcement Coordinator
(540) 857-2983
FAX: (540) 857-2179
E-Mail: patricia.grisetti@usdoj.gov
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