Whether for surveillance, search and rescue, disaster response, or transportation, aerial policing is utilized in agencies around the world to fulfill missions and enhance public safety.

According to Captain Justin Cromer, Ohio State Highway Patrol, “The specific demand of the aircraft will ultimately determine which type of aircraft to invest in.”¹

Although many agencies have access to fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft are more commonly seen in policing environments. The hovering and slow-speed capability of helicopters, in particular, allow them to excel in city environments and searches that require very specific vantage points. There has also been a notable shift post-pandemic in the versatility of helicopters. “Instead of having a few different helicopter types for specific missions… there is a dynamic shift to larger helicopters with a multi-roll capability, thus providing more versatility to them,” said Michael Bucari, Leonardo’s Head of Marketing–Americas.²

The Benefits of Helicopters

In 1948, the world’s first police helicopter was developed and fielded by Bell for the New York City, New York, Police Department.³ To this day, Bell products are still used in New York, but their customers now include hundreds of police agencies around the world.

The provider’s newest helicopter, Bell 505, is certified under the latest aviation technology and safety standards and incorporates the latest police mission equipment, such as tactical radios, cameras, and searchlights. The aircraft can respond to calls at a top speed of 155 mph, carry a maximum payload of 1,500 pounds, and provide a unique aerial perspective.

The company has five helicopter options in total, but a unique aspect of Bell is its focus not only on technological innovation but the operational development of police aviation as well. “Bell fully understands that the transaction of a helicopter sale is the first step only,” said Public Safety Segment Manager Terry Miyauchi.⁴ “It is a focus on a lasting long-term partnership.” Bell’s New Police Aviation Unit Start-Up Consulting is offered free of charge to any police agency. Through this consulting-based service, former police aviation operators, managers, and technicians can directly assist with the operational development of the agency’s new aviation program. As of June 2024, Bell is working with 17 agencies globally that are in the process of establishing new police aviation units.

Reliability and cost-effectiveness are some of the most important factors to consider when adding an aircraft into the police fleet. It is for this reason that Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) aims to provide a single-source solution for police organizations that is affordable and easy to maintain.

Every police helicopter made by Robinson has crashworthy fuel tanks and seats, a night vision goggle–compatible cockpit, cameras, moving maps, and impact-resistant windows. In addition to these features, the four-seater R66 Police Helicopter comes equipped with the latest in navigation and surveillance technology. The FAA-certified R66 enables pilots to easily identify hazards, navigate terrain, and detect other aircraft at varying altitudes. These capabilities are ready to be put into operation immediately (with no need to configure maps, sensors, or cameras) once a department receives the aircraft from Robinson. It is estimated that the R66’s average operating cost is about $350–$450 per hour.⁵

Powered by a Rolls Royce RR300 turbine, the aircraft’s aerodynamic fuselage optimizes airspeed and fuel economy, allowing the helicopter to remain in flight for up to three hours. This allows pilots to be in the air longer, cutting response time during emergencies. The R66 also offers agencies predictable maintenance scheduling, simplifying the process and increasing uptime or availability.

The versatility of Leonardo helicopters allows for ease of budgeting as one helicopter type can complete several different missions. They do, however, have an extensive product range in order to ensure that an agency receives the one best for their needs.

Leonardo’s AW family of helicopters include the AW119Kx, AW109 Trekker, and AW169/AW139/AW189. The entire product portfolio has all the necessary equipment certified for today’s mission, including EO/IR cameras, searchlights, rescue hoists, downlinks, tactical roping, and much more. The AW119Kx is a single engine that is fully customizable, while the AW109 Trekker is a light twin-engine that is the most suitable for operators requiring a mixed fleet. The newest offering in the product line will be the AW09, which will be certified in 2025. With a modular cabin, crash-resistant fuel tank, and composite airframe, the single-engine aircraft provides the capabilities that are typical of a twin engine at a fraction of the cost.

“What sets Leonardo Helicopters apart is its complete ownership of the helicopter value chain, spanning from design and development to production and support,” said Bucari. Although Leonardo is headquartered in Italy, the company’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, facility provides manufacturing, training, and support for customers in North, Central, and South America.

The Future of Aerial Policing

As technology continues to advance, the unmanned aircraft sector continues to grow at a rapid rate. “The future of aerial policing is being changed by drones,” said Captain Cromer. “These aircraft require a lower acquisition cost, lower operating cost, and lower pilot skill set compared to a crewed aircraft.”

With its recent acquisition of Ascent AeroSystems, which is recognized for its compact coaxial helicopter drones, Robinson will soon be able to broaden its offerings and meet the increasing global demand for enhanced mission capabilities in the policing profession. While drones will not replace fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft, they do offer several benefits to aerial policing, and their use will most likely continue to increase across police organizations.d

Notes:

¹Justin Cromer (captain, Ohio State Highway Patrol), email, May 29, 2024.

²Michael Bucari (head of marketing-Americas, Leonardo)., email interview, July 3, 2024.

³Terry Miyauchi, Airborne Public Safety: Worth the Investment (Bell Textron Inc., 2024).

⁴Terry Miyauchi (public safety segment manager, Bell), email interview, May 31, 2024.

⁵Robinson Helicopter Company marketing team, email interview, May 29, 2024.

Please cite as:

“Bringing Policing to the Sky,” Product Feature, Police Chief 91, no. 7 (July 2024): 56–59.