December 18, 2008

LEIU General Chairman Russell Porter, Director of Iowa's Intelligence Fusion Center at the Iowa Department of Public Safety, has received the 2008 Civil Rights Award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), in the category of Individual Achievement.

Director Porter received the award for his "consistent and vocal presence in law enforcement stressing the importance of protecting civil rights in policy, training and ethical practice of the intelligence function." The decision was made during the mid year meeting of IACP's Civil Rights Committee earlier this year.

A special Civil Rights Award Reception was held in his honor on Friday, November 7, 2008, at the 115th IACP Annual Conference in San Diego, CA. The award was formally presented as part of IACP's Annual Conference Banquet at the San Diego Convention Center on Wednesday evening, November 12, 2008, by IACP President Ronald C. Ruecker.

Upon accepting the award at the IACP Conference, Director Porter said, "I'm proud to work at the Iowa Department of Public Safety and with other law enforcement leaders who value and strongly support the protection of privacy, civil liberties, and civil rights and I'm honored to be a member of the IACP - an exceptional organization that appreciates and rewards these important activities." He added, “Much of what I have learned about criminal intelligence – including my abiding respect for ethical intelligence practices and the protection of our Constitutional rights – comes from my association with LEIU, and the criminal intelligence experts who are leaders and members of this great professional organization.”

IACP's Civil Rights Committee recognizes that protection of civil and constitutional rights is among the foremost responsibilities of police in democratic societies. As a result, the committee seeks to recognize programs and law enforcement efforts that exemplify the protection and promotion of civil and human rights. Founded in 1893, the International Association of Chiefs of Police is the world's oldest and largest association of law enforcement executives with more than 22,000 members in nearly 100 countries. For more information visit http://www.theiacp.org.