DHS Elevates OSLLE to Office of the Secretary, Cites Advancing Public Safety
The Office for State and Local Law Enforcement (OSLLE) manages partnerships between Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement agencies, and state, local, tribal, territorial, and campus (SLTTC) law enforcement agencies, especially when it comes to preventing terrorism.
Now, OSLLE is being elevated to the Office of the Secretary and the head of OSLLE, Heather Fong, is immediately elevated to the position of assistant secretary.
Under the change, OSLLE will have a direct reporting line to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
“As the largest law enforcement organization in the federal government, it is critical that the interests of our partners at the state and local level are woven into the fabric of our Department,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “The elevation of the Office for State and Local Law Enforcement, now reporting directly to the Secretary, will better ensure we, and our partners, are advancing our public safety mission.”
OSLLE was created on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and had been housed under the Office of Partnership and Engagement.
OSLLE’s mission is to envision “consistent collaboration and the inclusiveness of law enforcement by The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its agencies in all homeland security matters.”
DHS says the move will ensure that the views of law enforcement agencies are more represented throughout DHS especially when new policies, programs, and initiatives are being developed.
The Department says the move will also ensure that DHS is providing maximum information, resources, and support to law enforcement partners and that law enforcement and terrorism-focused grants go to terrorism prevention measures.
OSLLE is statutorily responsible for ensuring that such grants are used on terrorism prevention.
OSLLE also serves as liaison to let SLTTC agencies know about training opportunities, shares information, and ensures that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants are used appropriately.
DHS has been prioritizing relationships with SLTTC agencies. It recently required that State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant recipients dedicate at least 35 percent of their awards to Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities (LETPA), up from a statutory minimum of 25 percent.
DHS says the move will help law enforcement partners “better understand, recognize, prepare for, and prevent threats or acts of terrorism.”