History
The State of Georgia began participating in the Section 1208 Program (Excess Property Program) in September 1991 and at that same time GEMA was designated as the executive agent for the program. Section 1208 was replaced by Section 1033 in October 1995. As of April 2011, the Excess Property Program transferred to the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS).
In March 1996, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) delegated the day to day operation of the program to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), which in turn formed the Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) that has the responsibility for the policy and procedures supporting the 1033 property disposal program. Additionally, the LESO serves as a liaison between the State Point of Contact and the DLA. The first Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was published in 1996 outlining the terms and conditions between DLA and the State of Georgia. As a result of the MOA, DPS is tasked with the responsibility of transferring and allocating property to qualified Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA's) and to maintain accurate records on all property obtained under this MOA. These records must provide an "audit trail" and DPS must conduct periodic reviews of each LEA enrolled in the program.
Since it began in 1991, the 1033 program has provided more than $135 million in equipment and materials to more than 875 law enforcement agencies throughout Georgia. Items include cars, pickups, trucks, motorcycles, helicopters, boats, body armor, clothing, field gear, night vision equipment, weapons, computers and accessories, and many other kinds of things useful for law enforcement work.
There have been several instances where having this program in place has been very beneficial to state and local law enforcement agencies:
The Floods of 1994 - Excess Property obtained 4-wheel drive vehicles, boats and other needed equipment for state and local law enforcement agencies.
1996 Centennial Olympic Games - Excess Property supported the city of Atlanta in locating, distributing, and accounting for equipment for the Olympics in 1996.
9/11/01/Ground Zero - Georgia was able to respond to the requests of local public safety agencies in New York for boots and clothing for the first responders at Ground Zero.
2002 Walker County Crematory - Excess Property obtained boots, gloves, body bags and rain gear to support the state and local investigators that were working this case.
2004 G-8 Summit - Excess Property was able to obtain helmets, face shields, body armor, batons and other items for state and local law enforcement agencies assigned to G-8. Without this program, the small agencies would not have been able to support the G-8 mission. We also transported all-terrain vehicles (Mules/Gators) and armored vehicles to Brunswick and the Savannah in support of G-8.
2005 Hurricane Katrina - Excess Property was able to provide personal gear, e.g. clothing, cots, blankets, sleeping bags for local law enforcement agencies in Louisiana who were responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Georgia State Patrol has received six OH-58 helicopters, four UH-1 helicopters and two fix wing aircraft through this program. The Georgia Department of Corrections, Fayette County Sheriff, Spalding County Sheriff, Rabun County Sheriff, Coweta County Sheriff, Clayton County Sheriff, Atlanta Police Department, Columbus Police Department and the Clayton County Police Departments have also received aircraft through this program.
The Excess Property Office has also obtained M-14's, M-16's, 38 cal & 45 cal pistols and shotguns for law enforcement agencies for their drug enforcement missions.