The Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) or LESO Program, facilitates 10 US Code 2576a, which originated from the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 1997. This law allows transfer of excess Department of Defense property (equipment) that might otherwise be destroyed to law enforcement agencies across the United States and its territories.
No equipment is purchased for distribution. All items were excess which had been turned in by military units or had been held as part of reserve stocks until no longer needed.
Since its inception, the program has transferred more than $7.5 Billion worth of property. In Fiscal Year 2020, $252 Million worth of property (based on initial acquisition cost) was transferred to law enforcement agencies.
Requisitions cover the gamut of items used by America’s military -- clothing and office supplies, tools and rescue equipment, vehicles, rifles, and other small arms. Of all the excess equipment provided through the program, only five percent are small arms and less than one percent are tactical vehicles.
More than 8,000 law enforcement agencies have enrolled in the program.