“Where is this blue laser coming from?” This was the pressing issue when Special Agent Kenny Maldonado of the FAA’s Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP) called a meeting with the North Texas Laser/UAS Task Force in April 2023. 

Pilots flying helicopters for the Texas Department of Public Safety had reported multiple incidents of blinding blue laser strikes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area between 2020 and late 2023. The meeting brought together local and federal law enforcement agencies to collaborate on catching the offender, which they did, in October that year, when another strike occurred. The perpetrator was convicted on two counts of pointing a laser at an aircraft. 

“I’ve been working with Kenny for a while now, and we’ve been successful in solving several aircraft lasing incidents,” said Stacy Holland, chief pilot for the Texas Department of Public Safety. “And now lasers are becoming more and more intense with new technology. They can have a greater impact on pilots and reach aircraft at higher altitudes.” 

Pointed to the sky, a laser can incapacitate pilots, putting them and passengers at risk. Pilots reported more than 5,900 laser strikes so far this year and more than 12,800 lasing incidents last year. People who shine lasers at aircraft face FAA fines of up to $32,646 per violation and potential criminal charges. 

That’s why during the month of August, LEAP agents conducted targeted outreach, training, and collaboration with local, state, and federal law enforcement to combat laser strikes in areas with the highest incident rates. And they help law enforcement with much more. Let’s take a look at what LEAP does and how they are enhancing laser strike and other aviation-related law enforcement response. 

LEAPing into Action 

LEAP is the front door for law enforcement partners who need aviation expertise. LEAP agents help connect criminal and national security investigations to the FAA specialists, information and regulatory tools that keep our airspace safe. 

“LEAP really is multi-dimensional. They help us with lasers, drones, pilot information, responding to questions on aviation incidents; they’re kind of an all-things liaison to law enforcement,” Holland said. 

Who LEAP is and what they do 

LEAP helps investigators at the local, state and federal levels work aviation-related cases much more effectively. LEAP agents come from a variety of backgrounds to create a diverse team that brings experience in criminal investigations, U.S. customs, air traffic control, drone operations, military operations and more. 

LEAP provides the following: 

• Supports criminal investigations and conducts regulatory investigations. LEAP helps law enforcement understand aircraft records, pilot qualifications, flight activity and other aviation factors that may be relevant to a case. They enforce aviation regulations dealing with fraudulent registration and applications and use of aircraft in narcotics-related activity. 
• Turns findings into safety action. When appropriate, LEAP coordinates FAA actions—such as suspending or revoking an unsafe pilot’s certificate—to reduce risks to the flying public. 
• Runs joint and FAA-led ramp operations. With partners, LEAP conducts targeted inspections at airports to deter criminal misuse of aircraft and to spot safety or compliance issues. 
• Advises on drones and lasers. LEAP advises police on response to unsafe drone operations and laser strikes against aircraft. This month, LEAP partnered with the FAA Office of Communications to educate law enforcement groups on FAA laser safety resources available to them. 
• Coordinates during major events and emergencies. LEAP agents support law enforcement and public safety officials during large events and special security operations to keep the airspace orderly and safe.

How LEAP works 

• Partnership-driven. LEAP collaborates with federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and international partners. LEAP is the liaison that helps aviation experts and investigators move quickly and lawfully together. 
• Safety and rights in balance. LEAP focuses on aviation safety and regulatory compliance. The appropriate investigative agency handles potential crimes; LEAP coordinates closely while protecting privacy and due-process requirements. 
• From lead to outcome. A typical flow: a partner agency shares a lead → LEAP connects the right FAA experts and data → LEAP helps confirm facts and risks → if warranted, the FAA pursues compliance or enforcement action. 

Why their work matters 

• Protecting passengers and crews. Aviation crime can endanger flights and communities. LEAP agents’ turns complex cases into concrete safety outcomes. 
• Deterring bad actors. Coordinated ramp inspections, targeted training, and swift regulatory action discourage misuse of aircraft, credentials, or airspace. 
• Supporting communities. From wildfire emergencies to championship games, LEAP helps ensure the airspace above major events and critical infrastructure remains safe and dependable. 

What LEAP is not 

• LEAP does not run criminal investigations—that is the role of investigative agencies. It does support them with aviation expertise and, when appropriate, FAA regulatory action. 
• LEAP does not share unrestricted personal information. It follows federal privacy laws and shares only what is lawful and necessary to advance safety. 

Who LEAP works with 

• Federal partners: Primarily, but not limited to, the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security components  
• State, local, tribal and territorial police departments and task forces 
• International partners vetted through U.S. government channels 
• Security partners in the private sector with a nexus to national security activities or classified programs (Space X, NFL, FIFA, etc.) 

As public safety organizations continue to seek guidance on aviation-related cases, LEAP continues its 37-plus years of being the go-to source of information and support. LEAP is a key contributor to the FAA safety mission.