MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is honored to receive and  be selected as the 2024 Investigative Partner of the Year by Homeland Security Investigations’  (HSI) Atlanta Field Office, which is responsible for federal law enforcement in both Alabama  and Georgia.  

This prestigious recognition was awarded to Special Agents assigned to ALEA’s State Bureau of  Investigation (SBI) during a ceremony held in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday, Feb. 13. In addition to  Partner of the Year, SBI Special Agents operating out of Mobile, received the Investigation of  the Year Award for 2024 and one Special Agent in the Birmingham area was also recognized as HSI’s Task Force Officer of the Year.  

“The partnerships we cultivate with federal agencies are paramount in our shared mission to  protect our communities,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “It’s an honor for our team to  receive this prestigious award, and we are grateful for the strong partnership we share with  Homeland Security Investigations.”  

ALEA SBI Director Chris Inabinett agreed and said, “Oftentimes, due to the sensitive nature of  the cases and the investigations our Special Agents handle, we are unable to highlight and  recognize them for their specialized and diligent work. However, these awards are a testament to  the unwavering commitment and dedication of not only our Agents, but also our federal  partners.”  

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS),  responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats. HSI conducts federal criminal  investigations into the illegal movement of people, goods, money, contraband, weapons and  sensitive technology into, out of and through the United States. 

ALEA SBI is a prominent supporter of its federal partners and ALEA Special Agents serve on a  variety of Task Forces to include the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, DEA’s High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Task Force, FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the FBI Joint Terrorism  Task Force.