Chief Bratton Testifies Before House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Communication, Technology, and the Internet NR09466cj

Washington DC: At 10 a.m. EDT today, Chief William J. Bratton, in his capacity as the President of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, testified before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (HCEC) to make recommendations on the need for national interoperable broadband network for Public Safety.

The Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives.  Established in 1795, it has operated continuously with various name changes and jurisdictional changes for more than 200 years.  It has served as the principle guide on matters related to the promotion of commerce and to the public’s health and marketplace interests.  

The committee maintains public policy jurisdiction over a wide range of national issues including Energy, Health, and Communications, among many others.  

Chairman Boucher and other respected leaders have demonstrated a compelling need for a national interoperable broadband network for Public Safety.

In support of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Committee, Chief Bratton offered his perspective on the evolution of technologies in policing over the last 40 years and made recommendations.

Chief Bratton’s presentation was based on the premise that Public Safety is a primary responsibility of government and must therefore deploy the best available technologies to provide relevant, accurate, and timely information to service delivery providers and stakeholders.  The reallocation of “D Block” funding would be a giant step toward achieving this goal for Public Safety officials nationwide.  

Chief Bratton emphasized that this program should be viewed as an investment that will reap large dividends far into the future.  He also stated that in recent months, the following major Public Safety organizations have agreed on the plan to fund this initiative:

•    International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
•    International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
•    Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA)
•    Metropolitan Fire Chiefs (MFC)
•    Major County Sheriffs Association (MCS)
•    National Sheriffs Association (NSA)
•    Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO)
•    National Emergency Management Association (NEMA)
•    Public Safety Spectrum Trust (PSST)
•    National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC)
 
Chief Bratton said, “The benefits of an interoperable broadband network could well be the next significant evolution in Public Safety.”    

Chief Bratton’s testimony before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet can be read in its entirety by Clicking Here.