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The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) celebrated National Aviation Day, August 19, by recognizing the significant contributions of its Aircraft Operations Division (AOD). “For 75 years, the Aircraft Operations Division has played a vital role in DPS’ mission to protect and serve Texas,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “From airplanes transporting special investigative teams and helicopters performing rescue missions, to unmanned drones tracking down criminals on the run, aircraft have enhanced our ability to provide unparalleled protection to people across the many miles that make up Texas.”
In October 1949, DPS officially formed AOD, commissioning its first aircraft, a single-engine Navion, and pilot to meet the growing transportation needs for specialized investigative teams, equipment, and other key personnel. Today, the division performs statewide air patrol, criminal surveillance, and advanced rescue operations. Through air patrol, DPS leverages technology to locate and apprehend fugitives, deter criminal activity, and support Texas’ ongoing Operation Lone Star border security mission. Additionally, AOD supports search and rescue efforts by local, state, and federal first responders during disaster-related events.
AOD is one of the largest airborne law enforcement units in the country, consisting of 12 duty stations, 26 aircraft with state-of-the-art technology, and more than 100 personnel. The division is composed of 50 police pilots and 35 tactical flight officers. The fleet includes 15 Airbus A-Stars (including nine with hoist capabilities), one Airbus EC145 C2, one Bell 412, two Pilatus PC-12NGs, four Cessna Caravans, two Cessna 206s, and one Beechcraft King Air 350. Additionally, AOD is responsible for licensing, training, and regulating all 350 of the department’s UAS Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) program pilots. The department owns over 350 UAS systems (drones) used in various missions such as border security, capitol security, traffic accident reconstruction, and crime scene investigation.
AOD remains a cornerstone of DPS, playing a vital role in every area of the department’s responsibilities.
Source: mytexasdaily.com
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The Sacramento (CA) Police Department took to social media on National Aviation Day last month to acknowledge the critical role played by their Air Operations Unit in maintaining public safety. In a video posted on the department’s Facebook page, the agency showcased its fleet of two helicopters and one airplane, all operated by a skilled team of three commercially-rated police officer pilots and two full-time TFOs.
The Air Operations Unit's function as the city's "eyes in the sky" is an essential support system to their counterparts on the ground. These airborne officers work diligently, providing overwatch and aiding in a multitude of operations across the Sacramento area. In recognition of their efforts, the Sacramento Police Department stated, "To our pilots and observers, thank you for your service and dedication to protecting our community! Celebrating National Aviation Day, it was an apt moment to salute the crew's commitment to keeping the peace from above.”
Aviation has long been a crucial tool in law enforcement, offering advantages in surveillance, high-speed pursuits, and search-and-rescue operations. The Air Operations Unit allows for a birds-eye view of situations that are often too complex or vast to manage solely from the ground. It's this strategic vantage point that can prove to be a game-changer during critical incidents.
Source: hoodline.com
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APSA offers a monthly Webinar Series as part of our education and training program. Recognizing the need to provide training to those members who may not be able to travel to in-person APSA events, these webinars continue the series of live, online training originally brought about by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Scheduled for Thursdays, 1:00-2:30 pm Eastern, the upcoming schedule and topics in this series are:
• September 19: Teaching NVG Tactics to Improve Pilot Skills, instructed by Tony Tsantles, Aviation Specialties Unlimited.
• October 17: Lessons Learned from Maintenance-Related Helicopter Accidents, instructed by Jeff Guzzetti, President, Guzzetti Aviation.
• November 14: Navigating the Skies: Weather Impacts, Limited Data Forecasting, and
Safety in Manned & Unmanned Aerial Systems for Search & Rescue Operations, instructed by SSGT Phillip Turney, United States Air Force.
• December 19: Starting a Drone as First Responder Program, instructed by Anthony DeMolina, Tactical Drone Concepts.
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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The Vallejo (CA) Police Department broke up a large sideshow, arresting one participant who pointed a laser at a California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter, citing at least three other participants and seizing a 10-foot python that was found in a suspect's car.
A CHP helicopter responded to calls for help breaking up a stunt driving event involving around 500 vehicles. The Solano County Sheriff's Office and Benicia Police Department also responded to the scene. The aircrew told officers on the ground that occupants of a 2007 Cadillac CT6 were pointing a laser at them while performing donuts in the roadway. The Cadillac then drove past police officers and shined the laser in their eyes.
Officers attempted to stop the Cadillac, but the driver refused to pull over and a pursuit ensued. The chase concluded when all of the occupants bailed out of the vehicle, leaving an approximately 10-foot python inside. All four suspects were soon apprehended. The Cadillac driver was arrested for multiple violations including felony evading. The three occupants received misdemeanor citations and were released.
The incident happened only an hour before another sideshow in Vallejo at an intersection just after midnight where participants lit a ring of fire with gasoline and stood inside it as drivers did donuts around the ring. Police later confirmed that they were additionally investigating a deadly shooting in the area of the second sideshow. Two witnesses reported hearing about 20 shots and officers found a man with at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Source: CBS News
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As part of its new comprehensive agreement, CNC Technologies was awarded a multi-year agreement that will encompass maintenance and upgrades to the existing fleet of aircraft operated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The contract includes the purchase of multiple fixed-wing aircraft and the replacement of the agency's aging Cessna 182s, as well as multiple helicopters.
In addition to aircraft upgrades, CNC Technologies has recently installed nine microwave downlink receive sites across the State of Ohio. This installation makes Ohio the second state in the United States, after Tennessee, to achieve statewide downlink coverage with CNC. Ron Magosci, founding partner at CNC Technologies, said “We are thrilled to announce our multi-year agreement with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and we look forward to continuing our solid relationship with the agency.”
CNC Technologies also recently completed upgrades to a Cessna Caravan and two Bell 505s operated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Source: CNC
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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. To facilitate this, the UAS, Safety Officer and Maintenance Technician Meeting Groups meet once every two months, and the SAR Personnel and Natural Resources Meeting Groups meet quarterly.
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:
Safety Officers: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
Natural Resources: Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 pm EDT (1700 UTC)
Maintenance: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
SAR: Wednesday, October 30, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
UAS: Wednesday, November 6, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 pm EST (1800 UTC)
Visit this link for the schedule of future online meetings.
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The Chicago Police Department (CPD) Helicopter Operations Unit unveiled its new twin-engine Bell 429 helicopter delivered last month. Two additional Bell 407GXi aircraft are on the way. The three aircraft will join the unit’s existing fleet of all-Bell aircraft.
CPD’s Helicopter Operations Unit provides emergency response assistance to the city’s more than 2.6 million residents by amplifying the capabilities of ground-based law enforcement units. The department plans to utilize their three new Bell aircraft for critical public safety missions such as aerial patrol and police unit transportation. The three aircraft will also serve as aerial command-and-control centers that will provide tactical and technological information to first responders on the ground.
"The acquisition of these helicopters is instrumental in our efforts to modernize our fleet so we can better serve the residents of Chicago," said Superintendent Larry Snelling, Chicago Police Department. "These new helicopters will give us a stronger aerial advantage in our efforts to strengthen public safety in every neighborhood."
In addition to the aircraft acquisition, CPD plans to train its pilots on both platforms at the Bell Training Academy in Fort Worth, TX. Both platforms offer distinctive, multi-mission capabilities that will advance the department’s existing fleet.
Source: Textron
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Peter Myers, cofounder and director of Smith Myers, an APSA corporate member, was invited by King Charles to a reception at Windsor Castle on July 9, 2024. The event celebrated the 257 recipients of the Kings Award for Enterprise, and Smith Myers received one of the coveted awards in the innovation category. The King welcomed a diverse group of British businesses to his Windsor residence for a reception honoring their innovative achievements.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed last year to reflect HM King Charles III’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II in recognizing outstanding UK businesses. The Award program, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.
Smith Myers’ King’s Award for Enterprise Innovation 2024 recognizes its ARTEMIS suite of SAR systems. “This is truly a great honor and tribute to our team who have created an evolving and innovative life-saving range of products. In our 37th year in business, we are delighted to have been recognized for Excellence in Innovation – the key driver of everything we do,” said Myers.
“ARTEMIS is a perfect example of how our team applies industry leading cellular technology to provide a meaningful solution to a real-world problem. As the first system of its type, ARTEMIS continues to lead the market worldwide. Close work with our expanding customer base has seen several spirals of capability innovation already. Simply put, ARTEMIS saves more lives, faster,” added Andrew Munro, Managing Director.
Source: Smith Myers
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Let us help you expand your UAS knowledge. APSA offers a Remote Pilot-in-Command (RPIC) Course in a hybrid format. This course consists of an approximately 16-hour online, self-paced portion followed by a 4-hour live online review, Q&A and test preparation session. The course is intended for public safety personnel, both sworn and non-sworn, who are interested in obtaining their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under FAR PART 107.
The next course is scheduled for December 9-January 6, 2025. The registration deadline is November 25 and the cost is $250. The registration fee includes a one-year APSA membership. Don’t wait - Register today!
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Metro Air Support, an air support police unit made up of command and pilots from the St. Louis County, St. Louis Metropolitan and St. Charles County Police Departments, held an event on July 30 to commemorate its 20th anniversary. The unit shared this video on YouTube.
“In the 18 months that I’ve been here, the pilots have helped us make apprehensions, look for people that were lost, made sure that we recovered guns, car jackings, made sure that we brought people to justice,” Chief Robert Tracy said. “If it wasn’t for them giving us that support above us and making sure that we knew they were there, we wouldn’t be able to get our job done.” In 2023, Metro Air Support took nearly 1,000 flights and clocked just over 1,800 hours flown.
“I appreciate the bravery of the men that are going up and doing this for us and working together in this region,” Tracy said. “I’ve been in different places, I’ve worked in other jurisdictions, but certainly the cooperation all around is second-to-none in this region.” Despite the force’s multiple jurisdictions, Metro Air Support pilot Brent Fincher said the unit has a fierce sense of community.
Source: westnewsmagazine.com
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The Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit will lease a new Airbus H125 single-engine helicopter for border-related missions and rescues following approval on Aug. 14. The lease will be funded by a previously approved state grant of $9.4 million. Hangar One Avionics will assemble and equip the helicopter and lease it to the county for three years. Afterward, the county will be able to buy it for $1.
Chief Deputy Matt Thomas said the new aircraft will be a better platform for the jobs their Huey does now. He said the Huey is bigger and more cumbersome, while the H-125 is the most common model used by law enforcement and should serve the county for 20 to 30 years.
PCSO has three full-time pilots and six volunteer pilots and just hired a second helicopter mechanic. The Huey is the department’s flagship helicopter and currently the only aircraft in its fleet capable of hoisting victims out of rough terrain. It has been flown by PCSO since 2016 and has been used in hundreds of search and rescue missions throughout the state. The department also operates an OH-58 helicopter used in support of border missions and patrols, but it does not offer rescue capabilities.
The new Airbus H125 will be utilized in all aspects of PCSO’s aviation mission with an emphasis on border-related crime. It will be equipped with a rescue hoist, dual human external cargo hook and the latest law enforcement lighting and camera systems.
“PCSO would like to thank the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs for the opportunity provided to PCSO to serve the citizens of Arizona while ensuring we do our part to combat drug and human smuggling and complete lifesaving rescue missions,” PCSO spokesperson Lauren Reimer said.
Source: pinalcentral.com
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Two companies, BRINC and Echodyne, have teamed up to integrate the Metamaterials Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar into BRINC’s drones. The partnership will integrate BRINC’s cutting-edge Drone as First Responder (DFR) solution with Echodyne’s ground-based radars to enable a path toward Beyond Visual Line of Site operations without Visual Observers.
Echodyne’s radar systems offer continuous monitoring and real-time data on the drone's surrounding environment, including the location of other aircraft, obstacles and dynamic changes that can occur at a moment's notice. “Echodyne radars have been used for years by UAS centers of excellence, as well as FAA and NASA testing programs,” said Eben Frankenberg, Echodyne CEO. “DFR represents a unique opportunity to introduce widescale BVLOS operations, and radars are the ideal sensor to provide detailed and accurate airspace situational awareness.”
“By combining BRINC’s drone technology with Echodyne’s advanced radar, we are creating a safe, robust and reliable solution for first responders to deploy 911 response drones autonomously to emergencies,” said Blake Resnick, BRINC CEO. Agencies can view their drone operations from afar while also paying close attention to weather, airspace advisories and other data. Automated alerts can warn drone operators of “potential dangers,” with the tech also providing automated grounding and rerouting of drones if air traffic demands it.
Source: govtech.com and firehouse.com
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The Oconee County (SC) Sheriff’s Office announced last month that it is moving away from helicopters to drones for support in searches. The decision was made for multiple reasons, according to Sheriff Mike Crenshaw, including difficulty finding parts for older helicopters and the retirement of helicopter program director Dan Suddeth. He added OCSO has gotten more involved with drones in recent years. “I like to view it as just transitioning and taking advantage of a new era, new technology, with the drone technology that’s available,” Crenshaw said.
Crenshaw praised Suddeth for his work keeping the helicopters running, sometimes buying older helicopters from other agencies to have parts for a more than 50-year-old helicopter. “Dan has been a great asset to us,” Crenshaw said. “I had him to kind of assess our helicopter program (in 2013), and he said that he still felt like it was beneficial to us, and it has been. Finding the additional parts that he found through the military surplus program has allowed us to continue to maintain our helicopter program. But a number of factors, with him retiring, with parts — they no longer make the OH-58 (helicopter) parts. They are getting more and more difficult to find. We were going to have to continue to replace some parts.”
Crenshaw said the helicopter has been successful over the past 12 years and a great asset to the agency. The department has had a drone program for the last several years, and now the drones have infrared technology. Crenshaw said,” “We’ve always wanted thermal imaging on this helicopter. We can get the drones up a lot quicker than we can with our machine (helicopter).”
Crenshaw said the helicopter will most likely be transferred to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. He added the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) will also be able to provide helicopter support for Oconee County when needed.
Source: upstatetoday.com
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The Santa Fe (NM) Police Department has reported significant success with its drone program, which has been instrumental in tracking down and apprehending criminals. In a recent incident, a drone was crucial in the arrest of a man who attempted to flee from officers after a robbery connected to a drug deal. The drone enabled officers to locate and apprehend him and four other suspects quickly.
Drones have become a vital tool for the Santa Fe Police Department over the past two years. With nine FAA-certified pilots, the department utilizes drones for various purposes, including crime scene documentation, apprehension of dangerous individuals and open area searches. “Having that extra set of eyes in the sky gives us a really good advantage,” Deputy Chief Benjamin Valdez explained. “We can look at our deployment strategy to make sure that we can safely apprehend those individuals and hold them accountable.”
The cost-effectiveness of drones compared to helicopters has also been highlighted by the department. “In today’s day and age, we have to see what technology exists and how we can best utilize that to protect and serve our community and keep people safe,” said Valdez.
Source: krqe.com/news
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The Fairview Park (OH) Police Department recently launched a new drone program, enhancing their law enforcement capabilities and emergency response. The department invested in two drones, costing about $11,000, to provide an aerial platform for various operations.
Police Chief Paul Shepard was convinced of the need for drones after a harrowing incident last year. A 6-year-old non-verbal autistic child went missing during a torrential rainstorm on the south end of town. “It was probably one of the most anxious 30 minutes of my life,” Shepard recounted. The department had to call in drones from neighboring communities, which took an hour to arrive. Fortunately, the child was found safe in a tree, but the incident highlighted the crucial need for immediate aerial support.
The drones have already proven their worth. In one recent incident after a fast-food restaurant robbery, police used a bomb squad drone to track a suspect who had broken through the perimeter. “He was hiding underneath a vehicle. We took him into custody, but who knows what would have happened,” Chief Shepard explained.
Currently, the department has one officer trained on drone operations, with plans to certify eight more next month. The department aims to have two drone-certified officers on each shift. “Younger officers are able to adapt to the new technology because they grew up with it,” Shepard noted. “We’re trying to stay as current with whatever technology we can to help us make our job better.”
Source: dronexl.co
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With Vertical Aviation International (VAI) embracing the entire vertical aviation industry, the organization is opening its annual Salute to Excellence Awards program to welcome new participants. This will be the first time they are presenting these awards under their new VAI brand. The nomination period for the 2025 Salute to Excellence Awards is open now through September 30, 2024, with no extensions. VAI will announce the award recipients in early 2025. Membership in VAI is not required to submit a nomination or to receive an award. Help recognize excellence throughout the vertical lift industry by submitting a nomination for a person or team whose work you respect or admire. Information on the criteria for each award and the nomination process is available on VAI’s new website.
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A 30-year-old man faces felony assault charges after he shined a laser at a Kootenai County (ID) Regional Air Support helicopter, interfering with the aircraft's patrol flight last month. Deputies with the Air Support Unit were aboard the helicopter conducting a routine patrol when a high-powered laser targeted the helicopter.
The pilot and two tactical flight officers were wearing night vision goggles to help them navigate the controls and terrain of the area. The laser was amplified by their goggles, rendering their vision useless and causing the pilot to lose airspeed and drop altitude.
The aircrew was soon able to locate the suspect in a parking lot and directed patrol units to his location. Coeur d'Alene Police found the vehicle the suspect was last seen in and identified him. The man was arrested on suspicion of three counts of felony assault and one count of disorderly conduct. The Federal Aviation Administration and FBI are investigating and can impose civil penalties and felony charges for pointing a laser at an aircraft.
The Kootenai County Regional Air Support is a non-profit 501c3 that the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office partners with for air support for regional search and rescue missions and other first responder missions.
Source: chronline.com
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Fairfax County (VA) Police Department’s Helicopter Division holds a special place in Trakka Systems’ history, having been their very first U.S. customer. The department’s initial investment in a TrakkaBeam A800 searchlight system back in 2012 proved to be a successful collaboration, and recently, FCPD upgraded to the latest TrakkaBeam Xenon TLX high-intensity models for their two Bell 429 helicopters, Fairfax 1 and Fairfax 2.
The FCPD Helicopter Division serves a vital role for the 1.2 million residents of the region. Covering a vast 400 square miles, their helicopters provide critical air support for a wide range of missions, including search and rescue, medical evacuations and assisting ground units in apprehending suspects. For over a decade, the TrakkaBeam searchlight system has been an instrumental part of their success. The A800 model, Trakka’s world leading MIL-Qualified high-intensity searchlight with its aerodynamic design, served the division faithfully. Now, the upgraded TLX models offer even more advanced features like a superior beam profile, multi-mission functionality, durability and reliability.
Source: TrakkaSystems
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An aircrew put their training in action last month to help rescue a 75-year-old man who fell over a rocky cliff. The San Jose (CA) Police Department Air Support Unit’s AIR 3 helicopter aircrew worked with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office to reach the man in the area of San Antonio Valley Road on Aug 10. Police said the man's friends contacted authorities earlier in the day after he failed to return from a hunt. In the early afternoon, a friend spotted him stranded and injured, roughly 100 feet down a cliff, police said.
A deputy hiked down to reach the man and called for air support. The AIR 3 crew helped hoist the man to safety through heavy tree cover and move him to a clearing where a life-flight transport helicopter was waiting. Police said the man was treated at the hospital and expected to survive.
The SJPD Air Support Unit regularly assists the police department and neighboring agencies in Santa Clara County, including aiding in foot pursuits, locating missing people and finding stolen cars. AIR 3 helped recover nearly one-third of vehicles reported stolen in 2023. So far this year, the helicopter has fielded close to 900 calls, including dozens from outside agencies.
Source: patch.com
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The New York Police Department is planning to use a fleet of autonomous drones to combat an alarming surge over the summer in robberies and assaults in Central Park, the world's most iconic public green space.
"We’ve got the autonomous drones coming by the end of the month. There are over 800 acres in this park. It’s going to allow us to cover a big territory very quickly and also allow us to get images and video in places where we don’t have cameras," Tarik Sheppard, the NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Public Information, said during a recent news conference.
According to the crime statistics through Aug. 18, there have been 33 robberies in Central Park so far in 2024, a 154% increase from this time last year. There have also been 11 felony assaults in the park this year, a 57% increase from 2023. The jump in Central Park crime comes even as overall violent crime in the city of roughly 8.8 million people is down 2.49% from last year.
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said many of the robberies are being committed by juveniles who on several occasions have swarmed victims in mobs sometimes as large as a dozen perpetrators. On Aug. 1, for instance, a roving group of bandits surrounded two men sitting on a bench near the southern part of the park and robbed them at knifepoint, police said. Other examples that have recently occurred were a 42-year-old man that was repeatedly slashed with knives by two strangers he got into an argument with and an 82-year-old woman who was accosted on Aug. 14 by a man in his 30s, causing her to suffer minor injuries.
Chell said the NYPD has a "mandate" to keep park visitors safe. "We’ll be deploying numerous resources throughout the days, throughout the weeks until we take care of this problem, from mounted, to bike patrol, to foot patrol, to cars in the street to drones," Chell said.
Source: ABCnews
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Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a total of $341,413 in civil penalties against 27 drone operators for violations of federal regulations between October 2022 and June 2024. This move underscores the agency's intensified efforts to ensure the safe integration of drones into U.S. airspace, and the importance of proper training, certification and adherence to safety protocols when operating drones.
The fines, which range up to $75,000 per violation, are part of a broader crackdown facilitated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. This legislation not only increased the financial penalties for drone-related infractions but also expanded the FAA's authority to suspend or revoke the pilot certificates of operators who engage in unsafe practices. "Violating the drone regulations puts lives at risk in the air and on the ground," said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. "Flying a small drone means you are flying an aircraft, and unsafe behavior will cost you."
Among the most severe penalties is a $32,700 fine against a drone operator in Wesley Chapel, FL, who interfered with a law enforcement operation in September 2021. The individual flew an improperly registered and unlit drone dangerously close to a Pasco County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, forcing the pilot to abandon a search for a burglary suspect to avoid a potential collision. This operator was cited for multiple violations, including flying at night without anti-collision lighting and exceeding the 400-foot altitude limit without the required Remote Pilot Certificate.
The FAA's actions also extended to the Super Bowl, with two individuals fined $16,000 and $4,000 respectively for operating drones near SoFi Stadium during Super Bowl LVI. The airspace was designated as national defense airspace with a TFR in place, yet these operators flew their drones in Class B airspace without authorization and without the required certification.
As drones become more prominent in various sectors, the FAA is stepping up its efforts to educate operators about the rules and crack down on unsafe practices.
Source: circuit.press and iottechnews.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. Email 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 August 2024:
Individual Members:
 Eric Ackerstrom, United States Park Police
Cameron Campbell, The Colorado State Patrol
Alejandro Catarini, Jefferson County (TX) Sheriff's Office
Andrew Cavazos, Schertz Police Department
Blaise Dagilaitis, Integrated Surveillance and Defense
William Fitzgerald, City of Tucson Public Safety
Jason Grubbs, Story County Sheriff's Office
Mark Herdman, New York State Police | Aviation Unit
Steven Johnson, King County (WA) Sheriff's Office | Air Support Unit
Al Judice, Jefferson County (TX) Sheriff's Office
Kayleigh Kemmish, Drone Solutions of Southwest Florida
Jordan McDaniel, Volusia (FL) Sheriff's Office | Headquarters
Kevin Mitchell, Oxford (AL) Police Department
Jeff Olson, Austin (TX) Police Department | Air Support Unit
Rafael Ortiz, King County (WA) Sheriff's Office | Search and Rescue | Bellevue
Kristen Pearce, Edmonton Police Service
Luis Perez, Tucson (AZ) Police Department | Air Support Unit
Michael Pollock, Edmonton Police Service
Brendan Power, Edmonton Police Service
Keisha Rogers, SVC Risk-Collab LLC
JJ Schmidt, Austin (TX) Police Department | Air Support Unit
Chuck Vaughn, Bristow Helicopters
Jan Zeldenrust, Edmonton (AB) Police Service | Flight Operations Unit
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!
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Emily Tarr
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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.
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Phone (301) 631-2406
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