WHEREAS, air support is a vital component of police operations; and, WHEREAS, hundreds of law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal level operate aircraft; and, WHEREAS, in 1994 the United States Congress passed and the President signed Public Law 103-411, which severely restricted law enforcement’s ability to effectively utilize aircraft in legitimate law enforcement missions; and, WHEREAS, the stated purpose of P.L. 103-411 was the promotion of aviation safety yet of P.L. 103-411 accomplished no appreciable gain in aviation safety; and, WHEREAS, restrictions on the sharing of aviation resources imposed by P.L. 103-411 has resulted in reduced public safety and is poor fiscal and public policy; and, WHEREAS, the National Sheriff’s Association, Airborne Law Enforcement Association and many other associations representing public aircraft operators support legislation that would correct P.L. 103-411; and, WHEREAS, H.R. 1521, the Public Services Aviation Act of 1997; is currently before Congress , and WHEREAS, H.R. 1521 corrects the deficiencies of P.L. 103-411; now, therefore be it, RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police supports the passage and enactment of H.R. 1521, the Public Services Aviation Act of 1997 or its equivalent; and be it further, RESOLVED, that the Executive Director or his designee be authorized to transmit a copy of this resolution to all interested parties including, but not limited to, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate.