NLLEA's Role in Alcohol Regulation: The National Liquor Law Enforcement Association (NLLEA) focuses on enforcement and training for alcohol regulatory professionals, collaborating with organizations such as the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) and the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA).
Alcohol Regulation and Compliance Challenges: Key challenges in alcohol regulation include over-service, impaired driving, and staffing shortages. Post-COVID, there has been an increase in compliance checks and prevention efforts; however, ongoing education for licensees and officers remains essential due to evolving laws and emerging trends. The complexity of alcohol access variations—such as home delivery and social districts—and the influence of cannabis-related trends further complicate regulatory efforts.
Hemp Beverage Regulation Challenges: The rapid growth of hemp-derived THC beverages presents significant challenges, including inconsistent regulations and public safety concerns. NLLEA addresses these issues through educational initiatives such as chiefs meetings, professional development programs, and webinars. Communication gaps between state regulators and local law enforcement, combined with staffing shortages, can hinder enforcement. Improved coordination between state and local authorities is critical for effective regulation.
Standardized Alcohol Compliance Training Initiative: NLLEA has launched an initiative to create a standardized Alcohol Compliance Training (ACT) program aimed at improving enforcement consistency and communication among alcohol law enforcement entities. A pilot project in Nebraska brought together state police, liquor control commissions, and local police to address compliance issues. The program’s objectives include enhancing officer knowledge of alcohol laws, reducing harmful outcomes such as underage sales, and strengthening public safety and community trust.
Venue Training and Regulatory Challenges: Training programs are being adapted to address venue-specific needs, with successful compliance check projects serving as examples. State regulatory entities are increasingly assuming new responsibilities, such as sound enforcement in nightlife districts, which can create overlapping challenges in managing regulatory duties.
Collaborative Training for Regulatory Entities: Collaboration among enforcement and regulatory bodies is essential for effective training. Pre-planning and inclusion of diverse stakeholders—such as nighttime managers and police departments—ensure engagement and shared responsibility for outcomes. These collaborative efforts can serve as catalysts for uniting state regulatory entities and fostering broader partnerships.
Alcohol Compliance and Safety Initiatives: The Alcohol Compliance Training (ACT) program, developed in partnership with NLLEA and NABCA, emphasizes education and training while supporting enforcement when necessary. Collaboration with organizations such as the Responsible Hospitality Institute enhances these efforts. Upcoming sessions will focus on safety, security, liability, and insurance, featuring a diverse faculty. NLLEA will also be highlighted in NABCA’s member spotlight, underscoring its commitment to advancing compliance and public safety.
Carrie A. Christofes is the Executive Director of the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association (NLLEA). In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic direction of the organization. Prior to joining NLLEA, Mrs. Christofes served as the Deputy Director at a Single County Authority, where she managed the comprehensive Drug and Alcohol prevention plans across three counties in Pennsylvania.
With over 15 years of experience in nonprofit management and six years as a commissioned law enforcement officer, Mrs. Christofes brings a wealth of expertise to her current position. She has served as Project Director for various federal, state, and local grant initiatives, including the Drug-Free Communities grant, STOP Act grant, Tobacco grant, Gambling grant, and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) grant focused on underage and high-risk drinking.
Mrs. Christofes began her career in public health as the Project Coordinator for the Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws Rural Communities Initiative Underage Drinking Grant, setting the foundation for her ongoing commitment to public safety and community health.
