Over one thousand law enforcement pilots, tactical flight officers and service providers from across the country will take part in the Airborne Law Enforcement Association’s (ALEA) 41st Annual Conference and Exposition hosted by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office RAVEN Aviation Unit from July 11 through 13 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
The economic impact on the Reno/Sparks communities for this conference is considerable. According to authorities from the Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, the ALEA Conference and Exposition will bring in over 2.6 million dollars.
The Airborne Law Enforcement Association was founded in 1968 to “support, promote and advance the safe and effective utilization of aircraft by governmental agencies in support of public safety missions through training, networking, advocacy and educational programs.” Currently they have over 3,500 members worldwide.
ALEA’s Annual Conference and Exposition is considered the standard for excellence in the airborne law enforcement arena. Members and exhibitors use the conference to train, network, and discuss key issues in the law enforcement aviation field. Conference topics include issues such as water survival, fixed wing and night operations, helicopter rescue and aerial firefighting, legal and regulatory issues and more.
One of the most anticipated demonstrations at ALEA is the introduction of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), a rapidly emerging technology that is now being integrated into the law enforcement aerial arsenal. UAS aircraft has great appeal to law enforcement aviation since the aircraft weighs less than 25 pounds, and can be flown autonomously and at great distances from the command station.
Jim McGowann from FLIR Industries said “This is definitely our most anticipated annual event and best opportunity to honour these dedicated public servants who protect the public 24/7 from the air, put the safety interests of others before their own.”
Airborne law enforcement has shown tremendous growth over the past 20 years. In the United States alone, there are more than 800 agencies operating law enforcement aircraft.
Aviation, particularly the use of helicopters, has proven to be a critical asset to modern law enforcement by providing a unique measure of safety to the citizens of a community and the officers on the street that cannot be provided using any other means. Airborne policing allows law enforcement to cover distances faster, provides greater visual range from the sky, can cover otherwise impassible areas, and removes Deputies from dangers on the ground.
Air Beat Magazine featured Washoe County Sheriff’s RAVEN program on the cover story of their most recent issue, applauding the Sheriff’s Office program for being a valuable partner to many neighboring counties and states when citizens are in need of help most.
“RAVEN crews are often the only asset available no matter what day or time they are called. The Search and Rescue missions that RAVEN launches range from missing hikers and hunters to drowning juveniles and stranded snowmobilers. In 2011 RAVEN crews saved 16 lives by hoisting them to safety,” the article said.
The primary missions of RAVEN are to respond to calls of crimes in progress, search and rescue missions, counter drug surveillance, Department of Homeland Security missions, and other emergencies such as fire and flood.
Washoe County Sheriff’s Office was able to obtain the helicopters through the Federal Excess Property Program. The Sheriff’s Office currently has two OH-58’s (Bell Jet Rangers) and one HH-1H (Bell Huey) refurbished using drug forfeiture money, rather than taxpayer dollars.
Source: FOX Reno
when and where is the next convention?