FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR Pendulum Swings From Defund to Refund the Police
Remember the “defund the police” movement that began back in 2020? I remember thinking at the time, “This really seems like a dumb idea.”
I recall learning Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory
while taking a college
psychology class. It’s a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid. Safety/security is the second-most important foundational layer.
Where does that security come from in our daily lives? I believe it starts with the individual. However, there are limits on what we can do as individuals. As a society, the rule of law is the foundation for our security, and it’s the law enforcement agencies on the streets — and in the air — who do the actual work of enforcing those laws to protect us.
Thankfully, it appears the “defund”
experiment failed and the pendulum is rapidly swinging back in the opposite direction. There have been nationwide calls to refund the police at the highest levels. In fact, Resolution H.R.6469
titled Refund the Police Act of 2022 was introduced to the U.S. House by former Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Washington).
I will admit that I have a bias for several reasons. First, I did public service work for 19 years of my career. Second, a good portion of this vertical-lift industry that I love has a public-safety sector made up of operators in law enforcement, firefighting, SAR, and HAA. Lastly, I have a daughter who’s a deputy sheriff in my community, and I prefer that she have the best support and equipment to keep her safe while working the streets.
As the “defund” political pressure took hold, we saw what many believed to be knee-jerk budget reductions at law enforcement
agencies all across the
country with potential ripple effects for aviation units. Now, at least anecdotally, less than three years from the start of that movement, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction with a full-fledged sentiment.
We are now seeing a resurgence in airborne law enforcement activity in both manned and unmanned spaces. If you would like to learn more about this subject, then you should definitely attend the Airborne Public Safety Association’s APSCON event in Orlando, Florida, this July. This event will feature 170 exhibitors (Rotor Pro being one of them) and seven aircraft on the show floor. One of the big themes this year from an education standpoint will explore the topic of merging manned and unmanned aircraft operations
within a law aviation unit.
Rotor Pro definitely appreciates the APSA for all
it does for our men and
women in public service, especially in law enforcement. I know it may be cliche, but I do honestly believe that cops are the “thin blue line” that keeps society from descending into violent chaos, and for that, we salute you!
Lyn Burks, Editor-In-Chief
enforcement
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Editor-In-Chief Lyn Burks
lyn.burks@rotorpro.com Account Executives
Teri Rivas
teri.rivas@rotorpro.com Brad Shubargo
brad@rotorpro.com
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production@rotorpro.com 4 May/June 2023
Online Accounts Manager Lynnette Burks
lynnette.burks@rotorpro.com Copy Editors
Rick Weatherford
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Content Creators James Careless Randy Mains Joanna Nellans Jennifer Ferrero Rick Weatherford Wes Van Dell Randy Rowles Mark Tyler Matt Johnson Uros Podlogar
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