Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association Introduces Law Enforcement and First Responder Engagement Council
New initiative following through on AVIA’s TRUST Principles to earn and maintain public trust
Washington, DC - The Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA) today announced the formation of the Law Enforcement and First Responder Engagement Council, a new initiative to further enhance cooperation between the first responder and autonomous vehicle communities.
The Council will strengthen collaboration between the AV industry, law enforcement, and first responders, offering a platform to discuss best practices, share information, and address emerging challenges. By fostering open communication, AVIA aims to ensure that AVs are integrated into communities safely and responsibly, deepening trust with the public.
“A strong partnership between the AV industry, law enforcement, and first responders is essential for the safe and successful deployment of this lifesaving technology,” said Jeff Farrah, CEO for the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association. “Public trust in AVs is essential to their acceptance. The Law Enforcement and First Responder Engagement Council will provide a valuable forum for sharing knowledge, addressing concerns, and building trust.”
The industry pledged to create the Council when it announced the AVIA TRUST Principles earlier this year. Members of the Law Enforcement and First Responder Engagement Council include law enforcement officials, first responders, and AV industry representatives:
Mark Headrick, Assistant Chief, California Highway Patrol
Nicole Jones, Commander, San Francisco Police Department
Reda Riddle-Bigler, Deputy Chief, Phoenix Fire Department
Bart Teeter, Captain, Texas Department of Public Safety
Gary McCarthy, Head of First Responder Policy, Aurora
Brett Fabbri, Head of Law Enforcement Policy, Kodiak
Rob Patrick, Manager, Emergency Response & Outreach, Waymo
Sly Majid, Government Affairs Manager, Volkswagen ADMT
Brad Earman, Fleet Security Manager, Zoox
Deep engagement with law enforcement and first responders is a critical pillar of AVIA’s TRUST Principles. AVIA supports engagement with relevant law enforcement and first responders in the jurisdictions in which an AV operates prior to operating on public roads, along with continued discussions to address concerns and incidents. AVIA works closely with public safety officials and strongly supports state statutes that require AV companies develop and submit a Law Enforcement Interaction Plan.
About the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA):
AVIA works with lawmakers, regulators, and the public to realize the safety and societal benefits of autonomous vehicles. As the unified voice of the AV industry, the association is comprised of companies with diverse technical expertise and experience in the technology, automobile, ridehail, trucking, and logistics sectors. Bringing together their varied backgrounds, the companies formed AVIA to advance AVs’ tremendous safety, mobility and economic benefits to consumers in the safest and swiftest manner possible.