[Montgomery, Alabama] The Alabama Senate, with its’ passage of SB44 earlier this week, will severely limit the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Aviation Unit’s ability to assist local law enforcement agencies throughout the state in fighting crime, apprehending dangerous suspects and conducting search and rescue efforts.
“The Elmore County Sherriff’s Office relies on ALEA Aviation support for various high-risk law enforcement operations. Cuts to ALEA’s Aviation Unit would be a significant blow to law enforcement across the state and the public should be aware and concerned,” said Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin.
During the first quarter of 2015, the Aviation Unit has flown 82 support missions providing vital assistance to local law enforcement agencies throughout Alabama. Montgomery Department of Public Safety Director Chris Murphy said, “Aerial law enforcement is a critical police asset that the Montgomery Department of Public Safety relies upon ALEA to provide. We count on State Trooper Aviation to help the Montgomery Police Department with tracking and containing armed and dangerous suspects who are on the run, support for tactical operations, and missing person searches. Our communications with Trooper pilots is seamless, and their ready assistance during emergencies provides an invaluable law enforcement service that is otherwise unavailable to Montgomery.”
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