Police aviation
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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.
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 Fixed wing aircraft have generally been replaced by the more versatile helicopter since the late 1940s.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]
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.
Powered Parachute use by police forces
Powered parachutes have been used by police forces. They have been deployed for aerial photography, surveillance, search, and transport.
Ripon Police Department
The Ripon, California Police Department has operated a powered parachute since 2009 as its aviation department at a small fraction of the cost of a helicopter - $30 per hour compared to $1,500 per hour.[2].
Powered Paraglider use by police forces
Powered paragliders have been used by police forces. They have been deployed for aerial photography, surveillance, search, and transport.
Palm Bay Police Department
In Florida, the Palm Bay Police Department, under Operation SOAR (from "Search Operations Aerial Response"), evaluated the use powered paragliders instead of helicopters for searching for missing persons - being particulary useful at operating at low altitudes.[3] The program was supported by the US Department of Justice, Aviation Technology Program and by a manufacturer of paragliders that loaned the police department two paragliders for six months. .[4] Video: Police to launch first paragliding search operations team.
See also
References
- ^ R33 - G F A A G 1916- 1921 : Early Life
- ^ Powered Parachute Ripon Police Department Aviation Unit. accessed 15 October 2011
- ^ "Operation SOAR: Paragliding Police" National Public Radio April 22, 2009, (accessed 15 October 2011)
- ^ "Paragliders Give Cops an Eye in the Sky" May 9, 2009 abcnews.go.com
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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