Dear Representatives Vasquez and Kiggans,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for H.R. 6605, the “Secure Our Skies Drone Safety Act.”
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are quickly becoming a vital law enforcement tool. They have a variety of uses, including searching for missing persons, especially in hard-to-reach areas or if the search area is very large. They are absolutely critical at the border, where they can help law enforcement identify, track, and arrest cross-border traffickers and disrupt ongoing criminal activity.
Your legislation would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit reports to Congress on the use of drone and counter-drone systems by law enforcement agencies and to submit recommendations on which policies should be changed to ensure law enforcement agencies can properly counter these threats. It would additionally report on methods for agencies to procure domestically made drones, which are considered more secure than those produced in countries like China.
On behalf of the 382,000 members of the FOP, thank you both for your leadership on this legislation. If we can provide any additional information or support for this bill, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President