In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing earlier this week titled “Defending Against Drones: Setting Safeguards for Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Authorities,” U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) spoke in favor of the critical need for state and local authorities to be granted counter-UAS capabilities.
The hearing featured testimonies from Captain Troy Wilson, UAS program coordinator for the Texas Department of Public Safety; Sergeant Robert Dooley, UAS program coordinator for the Florida Highway Patrol; and Secretary Ricky Dixon from the Florida Department of Corrections.
Senator Britt emphasized the importance of empowering state and local law enforcement with the necessary authorities to ensure public safety. She noted that in many instances, these local agencies are the first responders to crises, even at federal installations in Alabama. Britt highlighted the exemplary work of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, led by Secretary Hal Taylor, in assisting federal partners efficiently. However, she pointed out that without proper authority, these agencies cannot act with the required speed and coordination during emergencies.
During the hearing, Senator Britt posed a crucial question: “Is there a legislative solution that is as simple as just extending existing mitigation authorities to state and local law enforcement that would actually help in these situations? Or are there other gaps in the law that need to be considered? And what should our top priorities be when considering a legislative solution to actually address this issue?”
Captain Wilson responded by stressing the need for training, accountability, and transparency among law enforcement agencies. He suggested starting with credentialing at appropriate levels to ensure effective implementation.
Senator Britt further inquired about proactive steps to prepare state and local law enforcement for future counter-UAS capabilities. Sergeant Dooley highlighted the necessity of establishing a federal entity to oversee the rollout, standardize equipment, and implement a reporting process to ensure accountability.
In her final line of questioning, Senator Britt addressed Secretary Dixon regarding the challenges of drone mitigation around correctional facilities. She pointed out the increasing use of drones to smuggle contraband into prisons, posing significant risks to both inmates and officers.
Secretary Dixon explained the limitations of current detection systems and the urgent need for advanced technology and federal authorities to combat this threat effectively. He urged immediate action, comparing the urgency to a scenario where automatic weapons are delivered to gang members within a correctional facility, leading to potential harm or escape.
The hearing underscored the pressing need for legislative solutions to empower state and local authorities in defending against drone threats, ensuring public safety, and maintaining order in critical situations.
Earlier this month, Senator Britt joined several of her Senate colleagues in supporting a new counter-UAS focused legislation led by Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). The Comprehensive Operations for Unmanned-System Neutralization and Threat Elimination Response (COUNTER) Act would enhance airspace security at military installations and would enable more bases to apply for approval to detect, track, and, if necessary, neutralize drones.
Post Image Credit: U.S. Senator Katie Britt.
