AELE
“Building integrity and
confidence
through research and education.”
Americans for Effective Law Enforcement was formed in 1966. The Law Enforcement
Legal Center was begun in 1973.
AELE is a research driven
educational organization that produces and disseminates legal information
through traditional seminars, via electronic media and direct contact.
At AELE,
• We treat people fairly and ethically;
• We tell the truth to our customers and others; and
• We keep our promises
– unless there is a legal or privacy impediment, or integrity is compromised.
AELE’s national headquarters is in a suburb near Chicago’s O’Hare airport. The mailing address is 841 W. Touhy Ave., Park Ridge IL 60068-3351. Tel. (847) 685-0700; Fax (847) 685-9700. E-mail: info@aele.org
-- 841 W. Touhy Ave. viewed from the west side, rear --
AELE owns and occupies a 3,000 sq. ft. building with
10 private parking spaces for staff and visitors.
Park Ridge borders the NW side of Chicago.
AELE was incorporated in 1966 as a not for profit educational organization
for the purpose of establishing an “organized voice” for the law-abiding
citizens regarding this country’s crime problem, and to lend support to
professional law enforcement.
AELE has a nationally prominent Board of Trustees, although most administrative
matters are approved by five outside Directors, who serve without fee or
compensation.
The paid staff consists of two full-time and two part-time attorneys, and two
support employees who plan and coordinate seminars, arrange for the printing
and mailing of educational materials, and answer correspondence and telephone
inquiries. (Click here for a list of AELE Staff)
Amicus Curiae Program
AELE became functional in early 1967 after receiving a
tax-exempt ruling from the IRS. The first project undertaken was the filing of
a “friend of the court” (amicus curiae) brief in the Supreme Court.
By Dec. 31, 2005, AELE appeared as amicus in 160 cases. Only 40 were decided
unfavorably to our position. Three-fourths of the cases were in the Supreme
Court of the United States, and the remaining were in federal appeals or state
supreme courts.
One measure of our success and prestige is the fact that 35 state attorney
generals have joined AELE briefs in behalf of their state. In addition, 14
national organizations, 39 state associations and 8 local groups or entities
have also joined AELE briefs.
Two national associations regularly join our briefs, which are written by AELE
counsel; these groups represent most of the country’s police chiefs and county
sheriffs. AELE briefs, therefore, actually represent the views of law
enforcement leaders throughout America. (Click here for
more about the amicus program).
Educational Publications
Another important project of AELE has been the regular publication
of legal information.
AELE publishes three monthly law journals: the Law Enforcement Liability Reporter (since 1973), the Jail and Prisoner Law Bulletin (since 1975) and the Fire and Police Personnel Reporter (since 1975). Although these were available only by paid subscriptions, beginning in July, 2006, the publications are free and are no longer password protected. AELE also began a Monthly Law Journal in 2007, with 3 or more articles a month.
Additionally, there are three digests of case summaries, with more than 25,000 entries. A search engine also is provided.
Educational Seminars
AELE conducts seminars and workshops for law enforcement officials
and their attorneys to apprise them as to what the police can and cannot
lawfully do in the performance of their law enforcement functions. Over twelve
thousand police chiefs, sheriffs, senior administrators, police legal advisors,
and municipal attorneys have registered for these three-day programs.
One is on Legal, Psychological and Biomechanical Aspects of Officer-Involved Lethal and Less Lethal Force, another is on jail and prisoner
legal issues, and a third is on discipline and internal
investigations for law enforcement and corrections. AELE has also sponsored special
programs on the “Exclusionary Rule,” criminal appellate advocacy, racial
profiling, criminal justice compliance & management auditing, police civil liability, non-disciplinary employment law, trial tactics in police liability lawsuits and critical incident
response. AELE speakers are committed to our mission of “Building integrity and
confidence through research and education.” (Click here
for more about AELE seminars).
Taking Positions
At various intervals AELE issues “Position Papers,” bulletins or
papers regarding current criminal justice issues of national importance. The
officers and staff, on request, also appear before legislative committees to
present reasoned practical viewpoints respecting contemplated legislative
action.
Some of our position papers are distributed nationally; others have been
prepared for matters of statewide concern or which effect particular segments
of society, such as the banking industry.
Exclusionary Rule
Due to a 5 -to- 4 decision in 1961, “illegally” seized evidence was
no longer admissible in state prosecutions. Since 1980 AELE has strongly
advocated for a good faith exception to the application of the rule.
AELE drafted a Model State Statute which was distributed to 7,363 state
legislators, all members of Congress, and to nearly 18,000 prosecutors, police
chiefs, sheriffs and other criminal justice professionals. Several states have
adopted such legislation, including Illinois. The AELE Model Statute was
used to draft the Illinois law and nearly all of the wording is taken from our
model statute.
AELE, in a series of briefs filed in the U.S. Supreme Court, urged recognition
of a good faith exception. The Supreme Court has done so, in two cases in which
AELE filed as “friend of the court” in support of the exception.
AELE will not defend police practices that are in bad faith or which wantonly
violate citizen rights. Where, however, the police have acted in apparent good
faith, we believe any evidence of guilt, which is of a reliable nature, should
be admissible in court. The court should concentrate their attention upon the
real purpose of a criminal trial --the search of the truth: Is the accused
guilty or innocent?
Research Requests
AELE staff attorneys receive many hundreds of telephone calls
or e-mails each year, from law enforcement executives and their attorneys. The calls need
legal research assistance, guidance or advice -- all of which is available and
promptly offered without fees or user charges. (Click
here for information about research requests).
Financial and Tax Status
AELE has an annual operating budget which varies between
$600,000 to $900,000. It is a not-for-profit educational corporation, with a
501(C)(3) designation by the I.R.S. Archived financial information, including
tax returns, is available on the Guidestar
website.
Although AELE began as a membership organization, it no longer solicits
members or contributions. All funding comes from the tuition charged for its
educational programs.
AELE is a
not-for-profit Accredited Business member of the