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APSA offers the Basic/Open and Advanced/Confined Proctor Training Courses based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sUAS Test Methods. These test methods are an excellent way to add a sUAS pilot flight skills credentialing component to your sUAS program, and can also be used to evaluate sUAS capabilities and sensor systems. Those registering for these courses must be experienced sUAS pilots who want to hone their skills and/or have a desire to train and evaluate other sUAS pilots. Attendees will learn how to conduct trials and embed them into their own unit’s training and credentialing programs.
The Advanced/Confined Proctor Training Course is 24 hours of classroom and hands-on flight instruction. The course will be held Feb. 3-5, 2025 at the Athens-Clarke County (GA) Police Department’s West Precinct in Athens, GA. To learn more and register for this event, click here. Attendees must have their Part 107 license and must be experienced sUAS pilots who have a desire to train and evaluate other sUAS pilots. Attendees must bring their own quadcopter style sUAS, capable of at least 15 minutes of flight time, equipped with a camera. Additional sUAS batteries and a battery charging station are also required.
APSA is actively seeking entities to host these Basic/Open and Advanced/Confined Courses. If your agency is interested in hosting any of these courses and possibly receiving complimentary registration, please email Dan Schwarzbach or call him at 713-213-4749.
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Since its inception, the Fort Worth (TX) Police Department Air Support Unit has used a series of Bell aircraft to advance their aerial public safety capabilities, including Bell 47s and Bell 206 JetRangers. In 2021, FWPD took delivery of their first Bell 505 during a ceremony that commemorated the 70-year relationship between Bell and the department. Last month, FWPD announced the purchase of a second Bell 505 for its fleet.
With the Air Support Unit’s newly purchased Bell 505, the department plans to increase their public safety presence with the platform’s versatile-mission capabilities, such as search and rescue missions. With the added benefit of its wide panoramic windows, open cabin design, and Synthetic Vision technology, the Bell 505 acts as a force-multiplier by allowing aerial crews to relay essential safety information to law enforcement officers on the ground. Combining its Safran Arrius 2R engine, dual channel FADEC, and Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite, the Bell 505 was manufactured to perform efficiently during demanding missions.
“Bell is proud the Fort Worth Police Department has chosen to expand their existing all-Bell public safety fleet with the purchase of an additional Bell 505, continuing our long-standing relationship with the Department,” said North America Managing Director Lane Evans. “We remain confident that the Bell 505 platform will continue to be a great asset to the community and surrounding areas for years to come.”
Source: Bell
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A San Antonio woman will serve over three years in federal prison after aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft, the U.S. Department of Justice said. Sandra Roberson, 60, was sentenced in federal court to 37 months. According to court documents, Roberson used a laser to repeatedly target a San Antonio Police Department helicopter on Nov. 3, 2023, endangering the crew and people on the ground. The helicopter had to end its role in the investigation of a shooting call due to her laser attack, authorities said. Roberson was arrested Jan. 30, 2024 and pled guilty Sept. 5.
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the case along with the San Antonio Police Department. “Shooting lasers at aircraft is incredibly dangerous to the flight crew, passengers, and people on the ground,” U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza said in a news release last month. “This type of illegal behavior risks damaging the pilots’ lives and vision and increases the chances of a crash. My office, and our partner agencies, take this crime very seriously and we will prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law.”
Source: mysanantonio.com and lonestarlive.com
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The Redmond Police Department (RPD) has become the first police agency in the state of Washington to operate drones without a visual observer after receiving FAA approval last month. “As a premier law enforcement agency, this approval exemplifies our commitment to leveraging advanced and innovative technology to protect our community,” Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe said. “This is a monumental step toward improving response times and enhancing public safety, efficiency and potential applications.”
It took RPD more than a year of “extensive testing, research and collaboration” with the FAA in order to earn the merits of operating drones without a direct visual observer. For safety reasons and upholding UAS regulations within the National Airspace System, the FAA requires drone flights to be visually monitored by the operator until the department earns the right to operate drones without a visual observer.
“The impact of this new standard extends beyond law enforcement, creating opportunities for more flexible and advanced drone operations across various industries that depend on UAS technology,” the City of Redmond said in a prepared statement.
"With this waiver, it opens up the possibility of regionalization," said Chief Lowe. "We have a 30-mile radius around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport that we can legally operate now, with our FAA waiver." Lowe said they have already been piloting their 911 response drones for calls like robberies, traffic crashes and even stand-offs.
"About a month ago, we had a circumstance where we had a subject that barricaded himself in an outbuilding, a shed. We were able to have the drone overhead to provide that real-time intelligence to the officers. So, the drone was able to arrive before the ground unit. They saw the suspect run into the shed. The drone maintained a visual of that shed," he explained. "We didn't waste time and/or resources, searching an area unnecessarily and/or inconveniencing an entire apartment building by, you know, locking everything down, believing that we potentially had a suspect."
Effective immediately, RPD can help other cities if they request mutual aid on a major incident. But there may also be a process established for cities to pay RPD for their help with drone response. "It then becomes a regional asset, and it could become like a cost-sharing type of thing to mitigate some of the costs that we've already invested in our program," said Lowe. "Say, Seattle, for example. Seattle would just power up the drone. Our pilots, here from our Flight Control Center, could actually take control of that aircraft and operate it in their airspace.”
"One out of four calls, we don't need to physically send an officer on the ground because we've assessed the situation from the air, and we're able to clear the call from the air," said Lowe. "This technology will never replace people or the need for people, but it is an enhancement."
Source: mynorthwest.com and king5.com
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Recognizing the need to provide training to those members who may not be able to travel to in-person APSA events, APSA offers a monthly Webinar Series as part of our education and training program. Scheduled for Thursdays, 1:00-2:30 pm Eastern, the upcoming schedule and topics in this series are:
• December 19: Starting a Drone as First Responder Program, instructed by Anthony DeMolina, Tactical Drone Concepts & Steven Katz, Flying Lion - Sponsored by Teradek.
• January 16: Nutrition, Hydration and Fitness for Aviators, instructed by Alexis Schminke, Texas DPS Fitness and Wellness.
• February 13: 5th Generation Air Support - The Evolution of Air Support Tactics and Techniques, instructed by Bryan “Mugu” Smith, President - Sentinel Aviation.
• March 20: Public Safety Aviation Special Missions Operations, instructed by Sgt. Andrew “Drew” Nicoletti, Aviation Unit Supervisor, Palm Beach County (FL) Sheriff’s Office.
These webinars are offered free of charge to APSA members, and registration is open. To register, simply complete the registration form.
Interested in sponsoring a webinar and addressing the participants? Contact Benay Osborne by email or call her at 301-631-2406 for details.
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APSA belongs to you. Like any professional membership organization, APSA exists for you and because of you. Your membership in the association is, in essence, an investment in yourself. Serving as a member of APSA’s Board of Directors is one way of participating in APSA to the fullest extent. It is a challenging and rewarding experience.
The following APSA Board of Directors offices will be open for nomination on January 1, 2025: President, Treasurer, Canadian Region Director, Central Region Director and Southeast Region Director. Complete information on eligibility and nominations for APSA elections can be found on our website.
“New board members bring fresh ideas and keep the association progressive,” said CEO/Executive Director Dan Schwarzbach. Get yourself nominated or nominate someone else. “As the nomination period for APSA elected offices opens soon (Jan. 1 – Feb 15, 2025), I cannot stress enough the importance of participating in this process to shape the future.”
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A new San Diego County (CA) Sheriff's Office service is now available to keep residents informed of nearby helicopter operations. The Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies (ASTREA)'s helicopter uses a loudspeaker when searching for a missing person or suspect. Announcements are also made during critical incidents such as a SWAT standoff, disasters, crowd management events or to give people a shelter in place notification.
Residents can now call or text "Hello" to (858) 866-HELO (4356) each time they hear ASTREA making announcements over their area. If there is more than one active broadcast at any given time, callers have the option to choose the message that impacts their location. While this program is free, rates to receive text messages may apply depending on your phone plan. This is not an automated or a push notification service, and the phone line is not for reporting a crime or emergency.
ASTREA is a countywide asset that has been providing support to the Sheriff's Office and partner agencies since 1971. It currently has nine helicopters and averages 2,000 missions each year to support patrol, as well as fire and rescue calls around the clock.
Source: sdsheriff.gov
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The Reading (MA) Police Department activated its new drone on Nov. 8 to help combat recent brush fires, pinpointing the worst of a fast-moving fire through some woods in town. “It got within 50 feet of the houses at one point,” said Reading Police Chief David Clark. “We used the thermal imaging to look through the woods, and we could actually see where the fire was moving and deploy resources ahead of that.”
The department’s new drone comes equipped with thermal imaging and night vision technology, making it a versatile tool for public safety. Beyond fire monitoring, it’s capable of crime scene mapping, accident reconstruction, and distance range finding. It’s also set to play a crucial role in search and rescue operations, suspect tracking, and event security.
The drone has already demonstrated its value in real-world scenarios. “This drone gave the incident commander instant information on the size, intensity, and direction of flame travel,” said Reading Fire Chief Greg Burns. “This was critical information that allowed us to position firefighters effectively and efficiently.” Following its initial deployment, the department used the drone throughout the weekend to monitor the town forest for potential fire risks, showcasing its preventative capabilities.
The police department will soon have nine officers specifically trained and FAA-certified to fly the drone. The department purchased the drone in September using funds from drug enforcement operations, specifically through their participation in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). This creative funding approach allowed them to acquire this vital technology without impacting taxpayers.
Source: whdh.com
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APSA Rescue Summit 2025 will be held in conjunction with VERTICON 2025 on Monday, March 10, from 0800-1700 CST at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, TX. Rescue Summit 2025 is for all who use VTOL aircraft in rescue operations. Registration for the event is complimentary as a benefit of membership; a nominal fee for non-members applies.
This year’s Rescue Summit will include various presentations pertaining to helicopter rescue operations including topics such as hoist fatality review, SAR accidents and incidents, an overview of ESPN-R and hoist operator/pilot training guidelines, dynamic hoist approaches and high-altitude flying and hoist vs. hook. Networking opportunities are scheduled throughout the day. There is no cost to members for this event, but registration is required. For complete information, including the agenda and registration link, visit our website. Register today!
If you’re interested in sponsoring Rescue Summit 2025 and interacting with the attendees, contact Benay Osborne at 301-631-2406 or bosborne@publicsafetyaviation.org.
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APSA's first Safety Seminar of 2025 will take place in St. Augustine, FL, March 25-27, 2025. APSA Safety Seminars are offered free of charge as a benefit of membership to all active association members (a fee applies for non-members) and cover a wide range of topics through informative training classes as well as roundtable discussions. Registration is open via the APSA website.
The event’s host hotel, World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort, is offering attendees a discount rate of $159 per night, including complimentary fitness center and high-speed Wi-Fi access, until March 10. Reserve your room online or by contacting the hotel directly and using discount code APSAPSA. Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in top-notch training, see the industry’s latest products and technology displayed in the exhibit area and network with your public safety aviation peers.
Information on exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities can be found here or by contacting Benay Osborne at 301-631-2406 or bosborne@publicsafetyaviation.org.
Register today! Check the APSA website regularly for the latest information on this and other APSA training events.
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Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Executive Director David Yoskowitz recognized members of the Aviation Unit at last month's TPWD's Commission meeting. The Director’s Citation Award was given to pilot Lt. Robert Mitchell, TFO Sgt. Tyler Stoikes and rescue swimmer Michael Serbanic.
On April 10, the Aviation Unit deployed a helicopter crew to aid rescue operations during severe flooding in Southeast Texas. The crew promptly responded to multiple emergency calls. Their first call involved rescuing a man stranded atop his semi-truck, encircled by rising floodwaters. The aircrew executed a swift hoist rescue, safely lifting the man from danger and transferring him to ground responders.
Shortly after, the crew received a call regarding a woman who was pregnant and due for a C-section the following day. Her home was surrounded by floodwaters, and she was concerned about being unable to make it to her appointment and the possibility of labor difficulties. The crew was able to successfully evacuate her to a nearby fire station, where she could receive further care.
Later, while scanning the area with a thermal imager to locate additional flood victims, the crew detected the heat signature of another man stranded in the same area as the initial semi-truck incident. They were able to guide ground responders to his location, facilitating a safe rescue.
TPWD said this deployment highlighted the bravery, skill and dedication of the flight crew, whose coordinated efforts saved lives amid dangerous conditions. Their ability to execute rescues under challenging circumstances underscores the impact of their rigorous training and teamwork.
Source: tpwd.texas.gov
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APSA conducts regularly scheduled online meetings for safety officers, maintenance technicians, SAR, natural resource, and UAS operators that you can join using your computer, mobile device or phone. And new for 2025, we are adding the Unit Managers Online Meeting Group moderated by Richard Bray. To facilitate this, all meeting groups will now meet four (4) times a year (basically quarterly) with the exception of the Safety Online Meeting Group, which will continue to meet every other month.
These meetings are open to any APSA member. Contract maintenance providers to APSA members are welcome to participate in the maintenance meeting as well. To receive meeting information and be added to the mailing list, send an email to registration@publicsafetyaviation.org.
The schedule for upcoming APSA online meetings is as follows:
Natural Resources: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 pm EST (1800 UTC)
UAS: Wednesday, January 8, 2025 from 1:00-2:00 pm EST (1800 UTC)
Safety Officers: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 from 1:00-2:00 pm EST (1800 UTC)
SAR: Wednesday, February 5, 2025 from 1:00-2:00 pm EST (1800 UTC)
Maintenance: Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 1:00-2:00 pm EST (1800 UTC)
Unit Managers: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 from 1:00-2:00 pm EST (1800 UTC)
Visit this link for the schedule of future online meetings.
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The Cleveland (OH) Police Department Aviation Unit has received the first of two MD500E to MD530F upgrades for the unit’s aircraft. The conversion was done by MD Helicopters-authorized service center Thoroughbred Aviation.
The conversion program upgrades the engine from the Rolls-Royce 250-C20B/R to the 250-C30 and adds longer main and tail rotor blades, a longer tail rotor driveshaft, tail rotor gearbox extension, modified tail boom, new vertical and horizontal stabilizers, and new cockpit instruments. Resulting performance improvements include a 12% (350-pound) increase in maximum gross weight internal load and 6% (200-pound) increase in external load, with an additional 12% (198 pounds) of useful load. The new maximum gross weight is 3,350 pounds. Out-of-ground-effect hover climbs by 92% (5,500 feet).
“This achievement underscores our dedication to enhancing performance and accessibility through our MD network,” said MD Helicopters president Ryan Weeks. “Thoroughbred Aviation is playing a pivotal role in this effort, and we are excited to expand the availability of E-to-F upgrades. Demand for such upgrades is strong, and several more performance upgrades will be certified and released throughout 2025 for the MD500D, MD500E, and MD520N.”
Source: MD Helicopters
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The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has received permission from the FAA to launch drones across three boroughs and five different precincts. With a first-of-its-kind waiver, the NYPD will be the first department in the nation with permission to launch drones remotely from a centralized point, 1 Police Plaza, toward certain locations, including Central Park.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry is the brainchild behind the effort. "To be a model for the rest of the country. It's pretty remarkable," Daughtry said. The drones will be located at the 67th, 71st, and 75th Police Precincts in Brooklyn, the 48th Police Precinct in the Bronx and the Central Park Precinct in Manhattan.
The 10 newest drones, two per command, will be deployed remotely and fly autonomously to an exact longitude and latitude. They will respond to calls including searches for missing people, alerts from the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system, incidents of robberies and grand larcenies, and other crimes in progress as needed. Pilots at police headquarters will be able to pilot and track drones in real time inside the "flight room," beating officers on the ground.
Officer Craig Vitale is one of the licensed drone pilots. He's spent years on the street. "I've been on the ground, if we had this available, how much easier and safer it could have been," Vitale said. "But this makes everything much nicer for everyone all around, much safer." The drones will help supply high-definition audio and video that is accessible in real time on officers and supervisors' smartphones.
"New York City is flying into the future as we keep New Yorkers safe," said Mayor Eric Adams. "While the 'Drone as First Responder' program is what precision policing in the 21st century looks like, drone potential is really just taking off. We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD's emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute. These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers."
With the launch of the DFR program, the NYPD now has 100 drones of various sizes and capabilities, and more than 110 FAA-qualified drone operators. NYPD drones have been dispatched on more than 4,000 missions in the past year, including approximately 2,300 priority calls for service.
Source: abcny.com
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The Charlotte County (FL) Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Aviation Unit provided aerial assistance for a trapped manatee and injured woman last month.
On Nov. 8, CCSO was asked to provide assistance to Florida Wish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the SFL Tampa Zoo, and Clearwater Marine Aquarium in locating a trapped manatee. The eight-foot female had entered a closed canal system during flooding from Hurricane Milton and was unable to get back out once the floodwaters receded.
The Aviation Unit provided eyes in the sky and were able to spot the manatee in an area where locals indicated it had been seen. The animal was safely secured in a net and taken to be checked out by a biologist to determine if any treatment was necessary before release. Watch the video here.
Two days earlier, the Aviation Unit was requested to assist first responders as they worked to locate a woman who was experiencing a medical emergency. The woman had fallen and sustained an injury to her head, resulting in erratic behavior. She ran into a heavily wooded lot and efforts to locate her had been unsuccessful. Using thermal imaging, the CCSO Aviation Unit was able to pinpoint her location and relay that to responders on the ground. The woman was safely extracted and taken to a local hospital for medical care.
Source: mysuncoast.com
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The Columbus (IN) Police Department (CPD) has received a $2,000 donation from the local Experimental Aircraft Association (Chapter 729) to help establish an Unmanned Aircraft System program within the department.
The initiative aims to certify CPD with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and procure drones to be used by the department in natural disasters and critical incidents, such as a missing or endangered person. The funding, obtained by EAA via a grant from Duke Energy, will go directly to the effort of obtaining the FAA’s certificate of authorization for CPD, which will allow the process to start for training and certifying officers as drone pilots.
This is the first step in adding potentially lifesaving equipment to the police department. “We appreciate everything that our first responders do on the frontlines in responding to emergencies every day,” said Kylie Foster, government and community relations manager for Duke Energy. “The drones are another tool they can use to help in emergencies that arise.”
Source: Columbus Police Department and wkkg.com
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The King County Sheriff’s Office recently expanded its Air Support Unit with a multi-mission Bell 407GXi helicopter, known as Guardian One. It’s the Air Support Unit’s most advanced multi-mission helicopter in service. "This air support is an essential part of our mission of public safety. In addition to rescue calls, the crew assists on robberies, searches for missing people, and can help safely track high speed pursuits," said Sheriff Patti Cole.
The Air Support Unit now has two Guardian One helicopters, with the newest being the primary aircraft. Since its launch into service in October, the Air Support Unit has responded to countless calls for help. Some of those calls resulted in 13 captures, including three suspects charged in King County for at least six armed robberies at convenience stores and gas stations.
The male suspects, ages 14, 19, and 21, were arrested the night of Nov. 15 in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Guardian One assisted officers by tracking the suspect’s getaway car from the air. "Getting the ability for us to really quickly get somewhere," said KCSO pilot Anthony Mullinax. "We catch a lot of bad guys."
The new Guardian One replaces the unit’s Vietnam-era helicopter, the Bell 206, fondly known as the Old Lady. "We retired the ‘Old Lady,’ which was the 1970s patrol helicopter that had 25,000 hours on it, and it was ready to retire," said Jeff Flohr, chief of the Special Operations Division at the sheriff’s office. "We’re excited to get to work with a new helicopter."
While retiring the Old Lady, the Air Support Unit hit the campaign trail in 2023, asking Washington state legislators to support King County’s proposal to fund a new helicopter. "This was a big ask. This was a multi-million dollar piece of equipment that’s going to serve for maybe up to a decade," said Mullinax.
Their big ask of legislators was backed up by several law enforcement agencies that rely on the Air Support Unit for help. From local departments to Washington State Patrol, and the FBI, they all wrote letters to the state asking for support to fund the new helicopter. State lawmakers answered the call with a stamp of approval.
Source: fox13seattle.com
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The Georgetown (KY) Police Department (GPD) will launch a Drone as a First Responder program, after city council approved funding last month. The program comes with two BRINC drones to start: one indoor drone (the Lemur) and one outdoor drone (the Responder), said GPD Lieutenant Lewis Crump, head of the Drone Unit. The Responder drone will be painted white with the GPD logo and will be equipped with police lights. The contract includes the cost of replacement should either drone break as well as upgrades throughout the five-year contract term.
The program would allow any officer to pull up a live view of the scene on their tablet or phone after being dispatched, Crump said. Drones can also be used to de-escalate situations without police needing to enter a home. “If somebody barricades themselves in a house, I can fly to a window … and I can de-escalate with them for a peaceful resolution,” Crump said. “If I landed this drone on a cabinet somewhere, I could talk for 10 hours. That’s huge for de-escalation.”
Council member Mark Showalter said, “I don’t think you can put a price tag on safety,” before motioning for approval. The DFR program was unanimously approved.
Source: news-graphic.com
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A 47-year-old man was arrested last month after he repeatedly pointed a laser into the cockpit of a Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter and has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault. The man repeatedly pointed a laser into the cockpit while the aircrew were actively in flight and flying above the Memphis area, putting all three passengers at risk of serious bodily harm or injury as a result of the use of the laser.
The aircrew said that the persistent laser pointing forced them to shield their eyes and operate the helicopter temporarily without maintaining a visual on the airspace to avoid further risk of incapacitation. They found the source of the laser coming from a shed behind a home.
When the trooper arrived at the house, the officer made contact with a man through the window of the residence. While speaking with the trooper, the man spontaneously uttered that he was the one responsible for pointing the laser at the helicopter. He was arrested and was held on $20,000 bond.
“The FAA works closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to pursue civil and criminal penalties against people who deliberately aim a laser at an aircraft,” FAA administrator Mike Whitaker said. Earlier this year, the FAA started a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of laser strikes after noticing an increase in incidents. The FAA says intentionally pointing a laser at an aircraft is a serious threat to aviation safety and a federal crime.
Last year, pilots reported 13,304 laser strikes to the FAA. So far this year, there have been 8,863 incidents. 483 of those happened in Tennessee.
Source: wreg.com
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The Harford County (MD) Sheriff's Office arrested two juveniles from Baltimore City for breaking into multiple vehicles last month. The HCSO Drone Unit deployed a drone to search the densely wooded area, eventually pinpointing the suspects as they hid.
Sheriff Jeff Gahler said their drone technology has become indispensable. The agency has 11 drones in its fleet. "The drone was actually in the car with [our deputy]," Sheriff Gahler said. "He was able to immediately deploy the drone, and with the heat vision that's available on there, they were able to pinpoint the suspects. Had those individuals escaped, they would still be breaking into cars armed, so public safety is enhanced through these kinds of technologies, and there's going to be a day where it's probably going to be standard to have one in every car."
Witnesses told deputies they saw two suspects dressed in black getting into a black pickup truck. Deputies spotted the black pickup and initiated a pursuit. The suspects took the vehicle off-road, abandoning it before fleeing on foot. Deputies later charged the 15- and 16-year-olds for breaking into at least 21 cars in a crime spree. Deputies found a loaded Glock 9mm handgun in their truck, along with stolen items, including credit cards.
Source: cbsnews.com
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As part of the Shikellamy Law Enforcement Club, District Police Chief Shawn Williams arranged for the Pennsylvania State Police helicopter to fly from Scranton to the Shikellamy Middle School so that students could get a glimpse of what was inside the machine and interact with the pilot. Approximately 300 students looked up in the sky as they waited for the chopper to land on the 50-yard line of the school's All Sports Complex.
State trooper Sgt. Donald Marsh flew the chopper and spoke with students. “I love the opportunity to meet with students and answer questions they have about my job or the helicopter,” he said. “I think the law enforcement club is a great idea and I’m glad to see so many people participate and ask questions.”
High school principal Marc Freeman said he was also impressed with the helicopter. “This was an amazing opportunity provided by the state police and Chief Williams,” he said. “Students were exposed to different types of law enforcement careers in flying. This was a remarkable experience for our students and one that few students ever get to have.”
Source: dailyitem.com
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The Chino (CA) Police Department received city council approval to purchase a $3.7 million Bell 505 helicopter last month. The helicopter will be deployed from a hangar where the future police department substation will be located at the Chino Airport.
The cost of the helicopter will be covered by Law Enforcement Development Impact Fee funds, and a $1 million grant allocated by San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman.
The helicopter program will reduce response times by 15 percent and assist the department in tracking escaped inmates from the California Institution for Men (CIM), Lt. Aaron Kelliher said. According to a staff report, the state’s “continuing disregard for the safety of residents with the underfunding of CIM has created an increased threat to the safety of the community.” The state has exacerbated the tenuous security situation with the addition of death row inmates, according to the report.
The report also states that the addition of a police helicopter will significantly enhance the department’s ability to respond to emergencies, manage incidents and maintain public safety in a rapidly growing city.
Source: championnewspapers.com
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Most articles you read in APSA’s Air Beat magazine come from members like you. With the help of our editorial staff, it’s easy to spotlight the great work of your aviation unit with an article in Air Beat. (It’s our editorial team’s job to make you look good, so don’t worry if you’re not a writer.) Editorial topics include safety, equipment/training, maintenance, tactics and more. Our editorial team is always looking for public safety agencies that want to highlight their aviation unit or members who want to share their knowledge, so please reach out.
Whether your missions involve law enforcement, emergency medical transport, natural resource conservation, firefighting, or search and rescue, or if you operate helicopters, fixed-wing or unmanned platforms, we’d love to hear from you and be able to spotlight your agency in Air Beat this year. Air Beat magazine and APSA are committed to sharing the experiences of aviation units of all sizes, types and experience levels. No unit is too small or new to contribute to the conversation, and all perspectives are valuable. Email Editorial Director Shea Gibbs at sgibbs@publicsafetyaviation.org for information.
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APSA's networking, education and training opportunities are unique and specialized for public safety aviation. Let your colleagues and friends know about APSA. Thank you for your membership and helping APSA continue to grow. We would like to welcome the following individual members who joined during November 2024:
Individual Members:
Peyton Bennett, Florida Forest Service
Daniel Burkholder, El Segundo (CA) Police Department
George Clark, Tampa (FL) Police Department | Aviation Unit
Paul Does, Ontario Provincial Police | Aviation Services | Orillia
Wendell Geigle, Victoria County (TX) Fire Marshal’s Office
James Lopez, Fairfax County (VA) Police Department | Crime Scene Section
Mark Luchetta, Toronto (ON) Police Service
Christopher Magana, El Segundo (CA) Police Department
Lucas Montero, El Segundo (CA) Police Department
Marc Morris
Matthew Nelson, Georgia Department of Public Safety | Headquarters
Travis Rozeboom, Papillion Police Department
Anthony Ventriere, Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Doug White, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department | Austin
Brett Williams, Oxford (AL) Police Department
If you know of other public safety aviators or industry-related companies that could benefit by becoming APSA members, please share this link and help our association grow!
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Get Your Organization's News Online
Send your press releases, company logos and photos to:
Lisa Wright
Editorial Director
airbeat@PublicSafetyAviation.org
Join Our Mailing List
APSA's Monthly E-Newsletters are designed to help keep you informed on the very latest information in the airborne law enforcement industry. Our E-Newsletters are distributed by email, as an additional benefit to our membership. To join our mailing list, you must be a member. If you are not a member of APSA, sign up today!
Advertise in APSA's E-Newsletter
For rates and availability, contact:
Emily Tarr
Sales Representative
(205) 563-9313 office
etarr@PublicSafetyAviation.org
http://www.publicsafetyaviation.org
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This newsletter is published monthly by the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA), a public benefit, non-profit California corporation. APSA is comprised of air crew and air support personnel in public safety and others who support, promote, and advance the safe and effective use of aircraft by governmental agencies in support of public safety operations.
(c) Copyright 2024 by the Airborne Public Safety Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this newsletter in whole or in part without written permission from the Editor is prohibited. Product and corporate names mentioned in this newsletter are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA), its Board of Directors, staff or membership; nor shall their publication imply endorsement on the part of APSA of any content or claims made therein. APSA disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and makes no judgment regarding the accuracy of posted information. In no event will APSA be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from the publication or any subsequent public distribution thereof.
Airborne Public Safety Association, Inc.
50 Carroll Creek Way
Suite 260
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone (301) 631-2406
Fax (301) 631-2466
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