For Immediate Release
March 28, 2022
 
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen hosted law enforcement leaders from eight southern states to discuss ways to better combat the increased crime coming from the U.S.-Mexico border.   
 
FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said, “By sharing intelligence and resources, we can more effectively curb the flow of drugs, human trafficking and gang violence coming into our states from the southern border. I thank my counterparts for their feedback and ideas.  I have no doubt that this partnership will make our citizens safer.”
 
Colonel Gene Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol said, “I would like to thank Commissioner Swearingen and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for coordinating this summit to discuss these important issues related to criminal activity associated with our borders and further strengthen our collaborative efforts. I am certain that by working together, we can help more efficiently secure our borders while protecting the victims of these heinous crimes.”
 
Participants listened to a briefing from the Texas Department of Public Safety and discussed the current situation as it relates to the crimes coming from across the border and the impact on our local communities.  Those attending shared law enforcement investigative efforts and challenges, crime trends and ways to utilize partnerships between state law enforcement agencies to address the crimes.    
 
Those who attended today’s daylong summit include:
 
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Texas Department of Public Safety
Louisiana State Police
Mississippi Department of Public Safety
Tennessee Bureau of Investigations
Tennessee Highway Patrol
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
South Carolina Department of Public Safety
Florida Highway Patrol
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
 
For Further Information Contact:
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001