Police aircraft
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A police aircraft is an airplane, helicopter, powered paraglider, or blimp used in police operations. They are commonly used for traffic control, ground support, search and rescue, high-speed car pursuits, observation, air patrol and riot control. In major cities in the United States, police helicopters are also used as air transportation for SWAT personnel.
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[edit] History
The first police aviation department was established in 1919 in New York City with two airplanes. Fixed wing aircraft have generally been replaced by the more versatile helicopter since the late 1940s. However, airplanes still have their uses in some missions, such as border patrol, as their higher speed and greater operating altitude allows larger areas to be covered.
In 1921, the British airship R33 was able to help the police in traffic control around the Epsom and Ascot horseracing events.[1]
[edit] Missions
Police helicopters are normally equipped with variants such as night vision, FLIR, infrared, surveillance cameras, radar, special radio systems and engines, loudspeaker systems, tear gas dispensers, searchlights, winches and winch cables, flashing light beacons, police rescue equipment and special seating. Weapons are usually not attached to the aircraft.
Police forces sometimes use military surplus helicopters, such as the Bell UH-1 Huey, but most buy their helicopters directly from major aircraft companies.
The Edgley Optica was a British light aircraft built for observation use and was adopted by the Hampshire Constabulary as as an alternative to helicopters.
Police blimps were used to patrol the skies during the 2004 Republican National Convention and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Images of police helicopters (1)
- UK Police Air Support Information & Operational Info + Gallery
- American Blimp Corporation webpage
- Blimp to provide convention coverage for police (CNN)
- Atlanta’s bombing fallout (Law Enforcement News)
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