During ALEA EXPO 2017, their recently completed 47th annual conference & exposition, the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) announced that they would be changing their name to the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) effective January 1, 2018. The new moniker is the culmination of several changes over the last seven years made to be more reflective of the entirety of those involved in public safety aviation as well as more appealing to potential members the Association desires to attract. “Public safety aviation has expanded beyond just law enforcement and it was time to outwardly become more inclusive of all who operate governmental aircraft for the welfare of the general public,” explained ALEA CEO & Executive Director Dan Schwarzbach. “We have a visionary Board of Directors that developed our current business plan, Metamorphosis, during their most recent strategic planning meeting,” he added.

Along with the rebranding, ALEA will be reorganizing their business structure. APSA has been incorporated as a 501(c)(6), which will allow the Association greater latitude than the current 501(c)(3) in the products, programs and services they can offer their members. “We have been restricted by the IRS (c)(3) designation in providing many of the programs and services that our members desire and expect, and this change will allow us to be more responsive to their needs,” said Schwarzbach. “Membership is our lifeblood and we want to position ourselves to meet their expectations,” he went on to say.

ALEA President Steve Roussell remarked, “ALEA has been the leading provider of training and networking opportunities to law enforcement aviation for almost 50 years and these changes lay the foundation for the next half-century. APSA is the next step in the natural evolution of the Association.” APSA’s mission will remain the same: to support, promote and advance the safe and effective utilization of aircraft by governmental agencies in support of public safety missions through training, networking, advocacy and educational programs.