APSA eNewsletter : 2015-November

Welcome!

APSA's E-Newsletter is designed to help keep you informed on the very latest information in the airborne law enforcement industry. The E-Newsletter may also be read online here at our website.

APSA Participates In IACP Conference;
Excellence in Aviation Awards

Law enforcement professionals from federal, state, county, local and tribal agencies attended the 122nd IACP Annual Conference and Exposition last month in Chicago, IL. Representing APSA (pictured left to right) was Midwest Region Director Delon Freund, APSA President Steve Roussell and Executive Director/CEO Dan Schwarzbach.

During the IACP 2015 Excellence in Police Aviation Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Bell Helicopter, APSA member Special Agent John C. Giuffrida (DEA) received the Individual Achievement Award and members of the Tucson (AZ) Police Department Air Support Division received the Large Aviation Unit Award.

IACP 2016 is scheduled for October 15-18 in San Diego, CA.

Massachusetts State Police Chooses Training Partner

The Massachusetts State Police Air Wing, the largest full-time public safety aviation unit in New England, has selected Metro Aviation's Helicopter Flight Training Center as its provider of ongoing pilot and crew education. “Metro Aviation has enjoyed a great relationship with the Massachusetts State Police as their completion partner, and now we are excited to bring them over to the training center,” Helicopter Flight Training Center Director Terry Palmer said.

The Massachusetts aviation unit responds to more than 1,900 mission requests annually, with its primary aircraft being the EC135 T2+. Pilots and TFOs will begin training in the EC135 Level D Full Motion Simulator and AS350 Level 7 flight training device in November. “The training will consist of normal and emergency procedures, as well as inadvertent IMC,” Air Wing Commander Robert Smith said. The department made the funding available partially in response to the NTSB recommendation that law enforcement crews receive IIMC simulator training.

SOURCE: Metro Aviation

Man to Spend Time in Federal Jail for Shining Laser

A judge sentenced a 31-year-old man to spend one year and one day in federal prison for shining a laser pointer at a Tampa (FL) Police Department helicopter in February of last year. The man pleaded guilty in March and was sentenced on Oct. 14. The sentencing came just two days after another man was arrested for targeting a Tampa Police Department helicopter with a blue laser.

On Feb. 14, 2014, as Tampa Police Department aviation officers were flying patrol in a Bell 407 helicopter, the sentenced man reportedly illuminated the cockpit four times with a green light. The crew was able to pinpoint the source. Ground officers went to the man’s house and said they found a broken laser on a coffee table, along with other lasers.

The FBI assisted in the investigation. The incident occurred two years after President Obama signed the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act, which made training a laser pointer on an aircraft a federal offense.

SOURCE: www.tampabay.com

German State Police Recieve First H145 For Law Enforcement

The federal-state police of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, took delivery of the first H145 in police configuration at Airbus Helicopters’ industrial site in Donauwörth on Oct. 19. The aircraft is the first of an order of six. Equipped with a modern mission management system by Euroavionics, the H145 can perform a variety of missions, including Special Forces unit deployment, VIP transport, external load, and observation and reconnaissance. Its primary surveillance mission is supported by forward looking infrared and daylight cameras, controlled by an onboard operator who also handles communications and data exchange with ground-based police resources.

As one of the three largest German states, comprising the major cities of Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Freiburg and Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg will use the H145 to police an area of roughly 36,000 square kilometers. The Baden-Württemberg police department currently operates a fleet of two EC155 and six MD902 helicopters.

SOURCE: Airbus Helicopters

Glasgow Police EC135 Crew Crashed After Ignoring Fuel Warnings

Investigators said in a report released on Oct. 23 that the pilot of the EC135 that crashed into a Glasgow, Scotland pub in November 2013 and killed 10 acknowledged low fuel warnings but continued to fly the mission. Investigators said the two pumps that transfer fuel from the main tank to the supply tanks were deactivated during the flight for an undetermined reason. They furthermore determined switching the two pumps off rendered more than 160 pounds of fuel unusable. Airbus will reportedly introduce changes to its transfer fuel pump management system in the near future.

SOURCE: www.ainonline.com

Helicopter Rescue Crews Aid in South Carolina Floodwaters

Helicopter rescue crews played a significant role in recovering from the floodwaters that engulfed South Carolina in early October, according to media reports. Rain pummeled the state for more than five consecutive days in the wake of Hurricane Joaquin, causing water main ruptures and other problems that left about 40,000 people without water. Reports indicated the water caused dams to burst and homes to be submerged, killing at least 11 people in the state. At least 25 rescues were made by air, along with hundreds of water rescues.

SOURCE: www.nytimes.com

Korean National Police Contract for MRO Services

The Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) has awarded a contract to maintenance, repair and overhaul services provider Heli-One to complete a 5,000 flight hour inspection on two of the agency’s Bell helicopters, followed by a full strip and repaint with defect rectification. The work will be completed at Heli-One’s facility in Boundary Bay, Canada, marking the first time KNPA has chosen a provider outside the Republic of Korea to undertake major maintenance work. Heli-One holds an approved maintenance organization certificate with the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

SOURCE: heli-one.ca

Gwinnett County Upgrades MD 500E

The Gwinnett County (GA) Police Department recently took delivery of a newly certified, zero-time MD 530F. Previously operated as an MD 500E, the aircraft has completed a 12-week transformation to emerge as the newly certified, factory-guaranteed, FAA-certified F-model (369FF).

Gwinnett County announced its plan to upgrade the helicopter through the E-to-F Conversion Program in March. The decision to convert two MD 500Es, in service since the mid-1980s, is expected to modernize the unit at a relatively low cost. “Our search for a viable [alternative] to the prohibitive cost of total aircraft replacement ended when we learned about MD’s 500 to 530 conversion program,” Gwinnett County Police Aviation Manager Lou Gregoire said.

The helicopters are slated to be upgraded one at a time to keep one aircraft in service, and Gregoire said the cost savings has allowed the unit to upgrade its avionics. After completion by MD Helicopters, Rotor Resources in Hiram, GA, provided installation of an upgraded mission equipment package that includes a FLIR Star SAFIRE 380HDc thermal infrared imaging system and SX-5 Starburst spotlight.

SOURCE: www.rotor.com

San Bernardino Aviation Unit Grants Terminally Ill Child’s Wish

San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff‘s Aviation and members of the Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation recently granted a wish to local 12-year-old Abigail Snipes, who asked her mother, “What would it feel like to fly?” Snipes was born with Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder of the nerves. Over the years, Snipes’ condition has worsened, and she has undergone numerous surgeries. Her most recent visit to UCLA for an evaluation indicated her condition is inoperable. Members of the sheriff’s aviation division and Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation gathered at the Luxivair Building at the San Bernardino International Airport on the former Norton AFB grounds to give Snipes a tour of the facility and a ride in one of its helicopters.

SOURCE: www.cms.sbcounty.gov

Contra Costa Sheriff Adds New Helicopter

The Contra Costa County (CA) Sheriff’s Office recently received a new helicopter, call sign STARR 3. The $4.5 million aircraft is intended to be used for firefighting and search and rescue missions. Only three of the area's nine sheriff's offices have a helicopter, and Contra Costa County will be the only one to use the platform for fires and rescues. The new aircraft's first mission was Sept. 25, when it responded to a fire on Jersey Island.

STARR 3's latest generation technology is expected to improve the department's suspect pursuit capabilities. STARR 3 joins another helicopter the sheriff's office is retrofitting with the same equipment. The county is using its own funds together with proceeds from the pending sale of a third, older-model chopper to pay for it.

SOURCE: www.contracostatimes.com

Illinois State Police Champions UAS at Conference

The Illinois State Police (ISP) received FAA approval earlier this year to use unmanned aircraft systems, and on Oct. 7, crime scene investigators Brian Miller and Ray Sutton told a group of law enforcement personnel and other first responders how the aircraft would operate. The talk was part of a conference sponsored by the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System Region 9 at the National Guard armory in Effingham. Sutton said FAA certification took two years and included manufacturer training at the University of North Dakota. ISP began using drones on May 5.

Sutton said he primarily uses UAS for accident reconstruction, eliminating the need for personnel on the ground and freeing up traffic patterns sooner in the affected area. "The way I like to say it is that we have a bunch of tools in our box," he said. "We can clear the road safer and quicker with [a UAS] taking a picture of the scene."

SOURCE: www.effinghamdailynews.com

Louisiana Man Gets Fine, Probation for Lasing Police Chopper

A federal judge in late September levied a $2,000 fine on a 27-year-old man who repeatedly pointed a green laser at a police helicopter as it patrolled Baton Rouge, LA. The man was put on probation for one year and ordered to pay $500 in restitution to the Baton Rouge Police Department Aviation Unit. The man was charged in March with forcibly impeding and interfering with an officer. He later pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor.

The incident took place on Feb. 16, 2014, while the police helicopter was flying over residential Baton Rouge neighborhoods. The pilot was repeatedly struck by a laser originating from an apartment complex, and while he was not blinded, prosecution argued the strikes were disorienting and could have caused the helicopter to crash.

SOURCE: www.bayoubuzz.com

Did You Know?

Did you know that APSA has a way to recognize any member who, through exceptional performance, reveals a potentially catastrophic hazard involving an aircraft or who performs with excellence and to training standards during an aircraft emergency?  The APSA “Broken Wing” Citation was created for just this purpose. Examples of such performance are the pilot and/or crewmember who exceptionally handles an in-flight aircraft emergency or the mechanic who discovers a serious aircraft flaw that has been previously and/or repeatedly overlooked.  Anyone may nominate a member for a “Broken Wing” Citation by submitting formal correspondence to the chairperson of the Awards & Scholarships Committee for consideration by the committee. Upon approval by a majority of the committee members, the citation will be presented. 

Anaheim Police Department Contracts for MRO Support

The Anaheim (CA) Police Department recently signed a three-year contract with Vector Aerospace to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for its Airbus Helicopters AS350 B2 components. Vector provides support for Airbus Helicopters AS350, AS355, EC130, EC135, BK117, EC145, BO105, EC 225/H225 and AS332 series helicopters. With approvals for AS350/355 and EC130 airframe, engines, dynamic components and avionics MRO, Vector is able to offer tip-to-tail MRO support on these models.

SOURCE: www.skiesmag.com

Indiana Aviation Unit Assists in Seizure of 300 Marijuana Plants

Assisted by the Indiana State Police Aviation Section, Fulton and Miami (OH) counties’ Combined Law Enforcement Against Narcotics (CLEAN) team recently arrested a 39-year-old man for possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana, neglect of a dependent and possession of drug paraphernalia. As part of an ongoing investigation, officers from the CLEAN team served a warrant on the man’s property in early October and found approximately 300 mature marijuana plants growing on seven plots, an active methamphetamine lab, methamphetamines, processed marijuana, prescription medication, syringes, two handguns, digital scales, items associated with methamphetamine manufacturing and numerous other items of drug paraphernalia.

In addition to the Indiana State Police Aviation Section, the team was assisted by troopers from the Indiana State Police Peru and Bremen Posts, officers from the Rochester Police Department and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department. The CLEAN task force is comprised of 11 law enforcement entities that have dedicated resources to fight narcotics in Fulton and Miami counties. The main focus of the task force is narcotics enforcement, with an emphasis on methamphetamine related crimes.

SOURCE: www.kokomoperspective.com

California Man Arrested for Pointing Laser at Sheriff’s Airplane

A California man was jailed after temporarily blinding the flight crew of a Kings County (CA) Sheriff’s Office airplane with a laser pointer in mid-October. The sheriff’s office aircraft used its surveillance cameras to record a man standing in front of a house with his two children and using a laser. The Hanford Police Department was then called in to help apprehend the suspect. Hanford police went to the man’s house, and the 45-year-old said he was showing his children his laser could reach the airplane but didn’t know it was a serious crime. He was arrested for pointing the laser at the aircraft, a felony, and held at the Kings County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

SOURCE: www.fresnobee.com

San Diego County Refurbishes Helicopter

The San Diego County (CA) Sheriff’s Department recently took delivery of a fully refurbished Bell 205A-1++. The helicopter was refurbished and customized with mission specific equipment at Eagle Copters Ltd.’s facilities in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. “This helicopter will be added to the current sheriff's fleet of helicopters and enhance our ability with fire suppression for the County of San Diego,” said Lieutenant Maria Wood of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Aerial Support Detail. “The professional relationship with Eagle Copters goes beyond just acquiring a helicopter. Eagle Copters worked directly with our department through completion, supporting the unit’s needs and meeting our expectations, including defining key alternatives.”

SOURCE: www.rotor.com

Miami-Dade Forms New UAS Task Force

Law enforcement entities in South Florida have formed a new task force to counteract the concern that unmanned aircraft systems could bring down an aircraft or be used in a terrorist attack. South Florida is one of the highest traffic areas in the country when it comes to commercial flights and private light aircraft. Members of the task force, which is being led by Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Rundle, are attempting to develop rules on how police officers should respond when they receive an emergency call about UAS and educate the public about what UAS can and can't do. "Some of the near misses are at large metropolitan airports, so that in itself is a problem that we need to actually face," Miami-Dade Unmanned Aircraft Task Force member Orlando Villaverde said.

SOURCE: www.nbcmiami.com

Houston Police Award Engine Support Contract

The City of Houston’s Police Department Air Support Division has awarded Keystone Turbine Services (KTS) a contract to provide complete engine, module and accessory maintenance, repair and overhaul services for its fleet of Rolls-Royce Model 250-powered helicopters. Under the five-year contract, KTS will provide total lifecycle support for all components of the M250 fleet, including complete engine and module exchange, repair and overhaul services, as well as spare parts, accessory overhaul and testing and field troubleshooting assistance.

SOURCE: www.rotor.com

Lagos to Procure Three Crime Fighting Helicopters

The State of Lagos, Nigeria, announced in late October it has finalized plans to procure three helicopters this month to combat criminal activities from the air and assist in traffic monitoring. Lagos’ governor said on a radio show he was deeply concerned about recent spates of robberies in some areas of the state, expressing optimism the helicopters will aid security and traffic surveillance. He said the government would also increase marine and navy presence on the state’s waterways.

SOURCE: www.vanguardngr.com

New Mexico Helicopter-Assisted Marijuana Conviction Reversed

New Mexico's highest court in late October reversed the conviction of a marijuana farmer that was based on evidence obtained by a helicopter. The New Mexico State Police violated the U.S. Constitution when it overflew a suspected marijuana plantation, according to an Oct. 19 New Mexico Supreme Court document. On Aug. 23, 2006, the police used a pair of Army National Guard helicopters to search for marijuana plants flying as low as 50 feet. When ground officers confronted the suspect, he gave written consent to search his property, leading to his arrest. The New Mexico Supreme Court determined the warrantless aerial search was low enough to alarm neighbors and cause property damage from blowing debris and therefore violated the Fourth Amendment.

Some legal experts have suggested the ruling may have a significant effect on law enforcement searches by unmanned aircraft systems. While the decision noted the helicopter created a noisy intrusion, the court left unclear how it would treat UAS searches.

SOURCE: www.aviationtoday.com and www.foxnews.com

San Bernardino Upgrades Bell

The San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff’s Department and Vector Aerospace recently completed a modification and upgrade for the department’s Bell 212 aircraft. Modifications were made on the helicopter’s avionics, airframe and tailboom to allow for the installation of a new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3DF Twin Pac engine. Vector also completed a 100-hour return to service inspection and applied full exterior paint to the department’s specifications.

SOURCE: www.vectoraerospace.com

Nominate Your Colleagues for APSA Leadership Now!

The nomination period for APSA elected offices to serve for the term of July 2016 through July 2018 are open now through Dec. 15. The following offices are open for nomination: Vice President, Secretary, Midwest Region Director, Northeast Region Director and Western Region Director.

Only Individual Members who are employed or appointed as peace officers by a governmental law enforcement agency under the laws of any state or nation, whose duties and responsibilities include the assignment as air crew in or supervision and management of the agency's aviation and/or alternative aircraft operations unit, section, division or department may hold office. Region Directors shall be elected by members residing in their region, and the Director must reside in the region he or she is elected to represent.

Nominations must be submitted by regular mail, facsimile or e-mail and addressed to the APSA Secretary. Please ensure nominations indicate the name of the nominee, the position for which the person is being nominated and the person making the nomination. Both the person being nominated and the person making the nomination must be current members in good standing with the APSA.

Submissions must be received or postmarked on or before Dec. 15. The ballots will be distributed to members by mail on or about May 1, 2016, counted during APSA EXPO 2016 in Savannah, GA, and the results will be announced at the General Membership Meeting conducted during the conference.

Send your nominations to: Dan Cunningham, Secretary, Airborne Public Safety Association, 50 Carroll Creek Way, Suite 260, Frederick, MD 21701, or via email dcunningham@PublicSafetyAviation.org, or fax to (301) 631-2466.

APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA would like to welcome the following corporate and individual members who joined during October 2015:

Corporate Member

Lamda Guard, Inc.

Individual Members

Jeff Andriese, California Highway Patrol
Todd Brough, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Andrew Brunet, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
John Buchanan, Maryland Natural Resources Police Aviation DivisionRob Burns, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Troy Carriere, Edmonton Police Service Flight Operations Unit (AB, Canada)
Adam Carroll, Tampa (FL) Police Department Aviation Unit
Nathan Chaylt, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Bob Crowell, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Patrick Dickey, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Nick Evans, Kern County (CA) Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit
Andrew Fitch, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Rob Fletcher, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Michael Freidin, Great Slave Helicopters
Brad Golinsky, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (AB, Canada)
Kevin Grigsby, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Eric Hamm, Delaware State Police
Daniel Hefner, AirCam UAV Services, LLC
Eric Hodge, Anne Arundel County (MD) Police Department Aviation Unit
Christopher Horton, Guidance Aviation
Russell Hotchkiss, California Highway Patrol
Dan Ireland, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Dan Kennedy, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Nicholas Ladas, Biscayne Park (FL) Police Department
Barry Lambert, New York State Police Aviation Unit
Daryl Lunker, Marion County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Mike McClellan, Edmonton Police Service Flight Operations Unit
Bruce McColley, Drug Enforcement Administration
Kevin Mulcair, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Robert Murray, MFT1Air
Brooks Nyszczuk, Edmonton Police Service Flight Operations Unit (AB, Canada)
Michael Parks, Hillsborough County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Mary Ellen Pauli, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Gary Pavicic, Utah County Sheriff's Office
Cathleen Perdok, AirworkLV
James Piper, Pall Aerospace
Jason Pitts, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Steven Schmidt, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Clayton Schultz, Edmonton Police Service Flight Operations Unit (AB, Canada)
Bill Spiers, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Dan Steckly, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Bruce Winn, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (ON, Canada)
Lynn Winter, Chambers County (AL) Sheriff's Office
Mark Womack, Marion County )FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit