By: S/A Raymond Byrne
D.E.A./Florida
& L.E.T.A. Instructor

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Law Enforcement Thermographers’ Association are both currently involved in setting the "protocol and standards" for the law enforcement use of thermal imaging devices, often referred to by the non-trained law enforcement officer as "FLIR or forward looking infra-red." Both organizations have set training standards, which are essential in the use of such imaging equipment, as it is applied in law enforcement uses. These standards compliment each other with the basic standards of use and same goals and objectives. Such objectives include setting the standard to eliminate the "loose cannons" that may have access to such equipment, but no training in its use. More importantly, the use in law enforcement environments. By setting these standards, the courts will continue to rule in favor of law enforcement, rather than establishing controversial court rulings. Presently, there has been no U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the use of such equipment. If the standards are set now, this will establish the law enforcement community’s intent for proper use of such imaging devices. Similar standards have been established in other law enforcement "tools" to include equipment as breathalyzers and speed radar.

Certified training courses and being a member of a professional law enforcement organization in a particular expertise, such as LETA also lends credit when being certified as an expert witness in court. Similar professional law enforcement organizations may be found in other areas of expertise to include police canine, fingerprint examiners, ballistic examiners, forensic experts and so forth. All such professional organizations add an element of creditability and set training and use standards in their particular field of expertise. Now in the area of thermal imaging as it is applied to law enforcement, LETA sets those same standards.