The Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) has announced that its Executive Director and CEO Dan Schwarzbach is the recipient of the 2026 International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Leadership in Police Aviation Award.
Schwarzbach’s selection recognises his exceptional and lasting impact on public safety aviation . His career, spanning decades of operational service, national leadership, and global advocacy, has fundamentally shaped the standards, safety, and professionalism that define modern law enforcement aviation.
As the longtime Executive Director/CEO of APSA, Schwarzbach has led the development of global accreditation standards, strengthened partnerships with federal regulatory bodies, and guided the profession through pivotal transitions in both manned and unmanned aviation.
His leadership has been central to the establishment and international adoption of APSA’s “Gold Standard” accreditation system; critical contributions to FAA rulemaking committees on rotorcraft safety, UAS detection, and airspace integration; and the creation of NFPA 2400, the first comprehensive standard for public safety UAS operations. Under his guidance, APSA has expanded training, education, and global collaboration across more than a dozen countries, ensuring that even the smallest units have access to world-class safety practices, resources, and expertise.
“Dan’s vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to safety and professionalism have transformed public safety aviation into the unified, standards-driven discipline it is today,” said Chief DavidJ.Ellis, APSA president and chief of police, Spokane Valley Police Department. “His leadership has benefitted every agency, every crew member, and every community we serve. This award reflects not only his achievements, but the profound legacy he continues to build for the next generation of airborne public safety professionals.”
Image: APSA
