In 2004 the U.S. Homeland Security Department lead the effort to establish fusion centers across the country. Fusion Centers were created to enhance information and intelligence exchange among all levels of law enforcement and was to include key public- and private-sector partners. In Iowa, it was determined to utilize a pre-existing law enforcement program to further develop the intelligence and information exchange in Iowa. This pre-existing program is L.E.I.N. - Law Enforcement Intelligence Network.
The State of Iowa Intelligence Fusion Center is located at the Iowa Department of Public Safety in Des Moines. The Intelligence Fusion Center works continually in a collaborative fashion with the six regional L.E.I.N offices on information exchange. The Iowa L.E.I.N program was established in 1984 as a group of specially trained state, county, and local peace officers. The six regional L.E.I.N offices throughout the State are maintained by city and county law enforcement officials. These regional offices offer a wide variety of services to law enforcement and the public-private sector, as well as working cooperatively with such local partners as county emergency management, health and other public safety entities. The development of a broad range of partnerships is critical to the successful mission of protecting the homeland.
To learn more about Iowa's Intelligence Fusion Center and the partnerships that make the Fusion Center a success click here.