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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. Man Strikes Police Helicopter Three Times
The man is facing a number of charges under Canadian Aviation Regulations and the Aeronautics Act. If convicted, the charges under the Aeronautics Act carry a maximum fine of $100,000 and/or five years in jail. Durham Police Air Support Unit Staff Sergeant Alan Mack said in a statement, “We take incidents of this nature very seriously.” Source: www.citytv.com Police Aircraft Crashes in Papua; Kills Crewmembers
A 22-member team from the Jayapura Search and Rescue Agency was deployed to the Dorman Mountains where the airplane lost contact. An investigation of the crash is currently underway. The police said the plane, purchased brand new in 2004, had clocked in only 1,200 flying hours and had just undergone routine maintenance in October. Source: The Jakarta Post DOJ Releases Searchable Funding Resources
The Department of Justice released a new searchable online document of current funding opportunities and new initiatives from their Office of Justice Programs last month. The Office of Justice Programs Fiscal Year 2010 Program Plan features the latest and most complete information about the resources available, as well as guidance on how to apply for funding and assistance. More information can be found atwww.ojp.usdoj.gov/ProgramPlan. An overview of the OJP grant process as well as the application review process is available atwww.ojp.gov/funding/grant_process.htm. All applicants able to meet the requirements of the solicitations are considered equally in accordance with the process detailed at this site. Source: Dept of Justice Drones May Help With British Border Security
Kent Police Department Chief Inspector Richard Watson, the force's commander of air operations, said the drones were poised to play a "significant" role in tracking suspicious activity around the coast. The UK Border Agency, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Marine and Fisheries Agency are also involved in the project. "This partnership is exploring new approaches in terms of police aviation," Watson said. The aim is to get the drones flying by 2012 when they could also be used to combat terrorist threats to the London Olympic Games. The unmanned aerial system (UAS) has the capability to operate at a height of 20,000 feet, remain airborne for up to 15 hours and relay high-resolution imagery of ships and vessels to police command rooms. The drones can be programmed to take-off, search and may even be used to monitor large-scale public events like music festivals. For immigration control, the UAS would have a twofold role: identifying and monitoring the English Channel shipping lanes and also acting as a police extension for watching out for illegal immigration. Source: www.emigrate.co.uk UK Judge Sentences Laser Assault Defendant Richard Wakeman, a man who shone a laser pen at a UK police aircraft in February, was spared jail time and given a nine-month suspended sentence at Portsmouth Crown Court last month. He was ordered to pay court costs and perform 150 hours of community service instead. The 25-year-old pled guilty to three counts of endangering an aircraft under the Air Navigation Order 2005. The court heard that he first shone a powerful green laser beam at Hampshire Police Department's fixed-wing aircraft in February of last year. The man was caught after directing the beam at the aircraft again in October when police tracked him down at his home. The judge said, "It is suggested that maybe you committed these offenses by way of relieving boredom, by doing something that presented a bit of a risk or a bit of a thrill. To use a laser as you did is potentially very dangerous to the aircraft because it can cause what as known as flash blindness." Source: www.portsmouth.co.uk Miami-Dade Police Take Delivery of Second A-Star
The MDPD Aviation Unit chose the AS350 B3 as the aircraft to rejuvenate the MDPD fleet and to meet the expanding mission scope and security needs of Miami-Dade County and the south Florida region. Sergeant Tom Turpin, a pilot with the Special Patrol Bureau's Aviation Unit, said, "Our first AS350 B3 has proven itself to be an indispensable part of our fleet and we are looking forward to working this second aircraft into our mission schedule." Source: American Eurocopter AZ Police Arrest Man For Shining Laser
The police helicopter was hovering as officers on the ground were in the process of entering the building of a video-game store when the laser incident happened. The pilot, whose vision was obstructed for several minutes, was able to help officers locate the home from where the laser was allegedly shone. After questioning, the laser was recovered and the man was arrested and charged with two counts of felony endangerment. Source: www.azcentral.com New Aviation Tool Nabs Fugitive
In response to seeing the powered parachute circling overhead, the suspect said, “You guys are everywhere, I had no where to run!” The suspect was charged with resisting arrest and with providing false information to a police officer. The powered parachute was provided to the Ripon Police Department, at no cost to the city, by the U.S. Department of Justice, Rural Law Enforcement Technology Center. Source: www.modbee.com UK Police Aircraft Reaches Milestone
Sgt Kevin Robinson, who manages the Air Support Unit at RAF Benson, explained, “The new helicopter will be almost identical to the old one, but it has autopilot facilities for flying in cloud and bad weather. We're looking forward to continuing the level of service we provide with an enhanced aircraft.” Source: www.witneygazette.co.uk China Committed To Aerial Assets "Air police forces react more quickly to emergencies and plays an important role in securing the national safety," said Tao Junsheng, Vice Director of the Equipment and Finance Department of China's Ministry of Public Security during the 2009 China Helicopter Development Forum held last month.
Source: www.chinadaily.com.cn Brazilian Police Spend $350 Million on UAVs
IAI demonstrated the UAV Heron's capabilities in Brazil last August, conducting the activity in harsh operating conditions in the San Miguel de Iguacu region of Parana state. The department's assessment included using the Heron's automatic take-off and landing system, seeing the UAV relay data and intelligence from its numerous sensors in real time, and using satellite communications equipment. The federal police intend to use the UAV system for purposes such as border security and in activities to counter smuggling, drug trafficking and the theft of natural resources. Source: www.flightglobal.com Founding Unit Member & Mechanic Retires Photo: Walter “Barney” Barnett (striped shirt and pictured next to Chief Pilot Richard Bray) says goodbye to unit members at his recent retirement party.
As a true professional, Barney has been instrumental in the formation of the aviation unit and its impeccable safety record. With almost daily phone calls and emails, Barney has been a valuable information resource for air unit mechanics and administrators from around the region. Most important of all, Barney did all of this with an ever-present smile and positive attitude. A cornerstone of Florida public safety aviation, he will be sorely missed by all. His colleagues would like to wish him the best of luck in his well-earned retirement. Source: JAU Police Chopper Busts Teen Gang Five teenagers in Western Australia were nabbed last month for allegedly breaking into a house and fleeing in a stolen car thanks to the police helicopter's night vision. Police said the teenagers stopped their vehicle and fled into a nearby wooded area on foot. The police helicopter used its night vision to search and find the offenders. All five juveniles were arrested and charged with aggravated burglary and stealing a motor vehicle. Source: www.watoday.com.au Department to Ground Aviation Unit
Police say the choppers are invaluable tools in crime fighting, not only keeping the public safe but fellow officers as well. And, in a department with not enough officers, the choppers were a force-multiplier. Sgt. Dan Lofgren, commander of the Air Support Unit, has dedicated seven years of his career to flying the police helicopter. "We have seen first-hand the effect it has on citizen safety and officer safety and it's going to be hard to lose a tool like that," he said. Soon, the three-man unit will return to patrolling the street. "There will definitely be an impact with the criminal element knowing we're not in the air and not having to worry about the rapid response," Lofgren said. Since the three officers in the unit will remain on the force, the overall savings from cutting the police helicopter is about $250,000. Lofgren says it will likely take years of economic recovery before the city has the money to buy another helicopter. Source: www.coloradoconnection.com Tucson Police Aviation Conducts Safety Day
Agent Brian Nowak of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force Tucson Office shared information in the FBI's involvement in the investigation of laser assaults on aircraft and aircrews. He provided information on what types of lasers are being encountered and what the FBI looks for when deciding to prosecute a case. Randy Rowles, president of the Heli-Institute and Night Flight Concepts Inc., stressed the ongoing need of crew resource management including leadership, situational awareness and communication barriers. He illustrated how flight crews can be affected by those they interact with, such as ATC, management, co-workers, etc. Source: Phoenix Police Department San Antonio Adds LoJack Systems to Aircraft
Source: URS Be A Snowbird: Attend The Southeast Safety Seminar in Tampa
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Canadian police arrested a 25-year-old man this month that repeatedly pointed a laser at a Durham Police Air Support Unit helicopter, Air 1. The first two alleged incidents happened on the evenings of November 10 and November 25. Authorities say the pilot had to take evasive action to avoid the light beam. It happened again on December 2. The third time, personnel in Air 1 worked with officers on the ground to pinpoint the source of the laser and made an arrest.
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary is a national police force with jurisdiction throughout all of Papua New Guinea. Unfortunately, last month, the agency's Cassa M-28 Skytruck airplane crashed and killed crewmembers on board. Four victims in the crash are believed to be pilot Adj. Comr. Yunus, co-pilot Adj. Comr. Benedictus, and technicians Brig. Kuswanto and Brig. Syaiful.
Unmanned aircraft could soon be added to the United Kingdom's police forces to fight against drug smugglers and illegal immigrants along Britain's coastline, according to a news report released last month. The drones would be under the control of the Kent and Essex Police Departments in conjunction with BAE Systems.
The Miami-Dade (FL) Police Department's (MDPD) Aviation Unit received the second of four AS350 B3s that have been ordered. The aircraft will join the department's Special Patrol Bureau's Aviation Unit that includes a fleet of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.
A 36-year-old man was arrested last month for allegedly pointing a green laser at an Arizona Department of Public Safety police helicopter that was responding to a robbery.
While an officer of the Ripon (CA) Police Department was conducting a security check due to reported vehicle thefts, he made contact with three suspicious persons. One of the suspects was found to have an outstanding $50,000 criminal bench warrant for his arrest and fled the scene. The Aviation Unit, equipped with a powered parachute, arrived on scene to assist ground officers in the search for the fugitive. Sgt. Steve Merchant, the pilot of the powered parachute, spotted the suspect hiding behind a building. The suspect's location was relayed to ground units, and the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Chiltern Police Department (UK) Air Support Unit will replace its “milestone” helicopter with a new purchase next year. The EC135 currently being used has recently completed 10,000 flying hours after entering service with Thames Valley Police Department in April 1999. The retiring aircraft has the second highest airborne hours of any Eurocopter EC135 in the world. Superintendent Tony Ismay, head of the Thames Valley Police's Tactical Support Department, said, “I'm proud one of our aircraft has become only the second of its type to reach 10,000 flying hours.”
According to China's Ministry of Public Security, 13 airborne police units have been established on the mainland. The Wuhan Police Bureau, within the capital of Hubei Province, began employing police helicopters in 1993. Other provinces and cities like Guangdong, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Nanjing, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Shenzhen, Yan'an, Yulin and Sanmenxia also have their own air police forces, with more than 30 helicopters in service. More places, like Shandong, Yunnan and Changsha, are preparing for their own, according to Junsheng.
Brazil's Federal Police Department is to acquire a number of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unmanned air vehicle systems in a deal worth $350 million.
The Alachua County Sheriff's Office and Gainesville (FL) Police Department's Joint Aviation Unit recently held a “going away” party for one of its founding members. The name Walter ‘Barney' Barnett is very familiar to countless people involved in airborne law enforcement throughout the southeast region and across the nation. The accomplished U.S. Coast Guard mechanic has worked for the Joint Aviation Unit since its inception in 1991.
The Colorado Springs (CO) Police Department's Air Support Unit was grounded last month. The three-man unit worked on a budget of about $650,000 a year, flying two surplus helicopters. The unit's budget has been cut and the choppers will likely be sold.
On November 10, the Tucson (AZ) Police Department Air Support Unit held its 6th Annual Safety Day and BBQ. New unit supervisors, Sgt. Garry Arnold and Lt. Wes Dison, welcomed speakers and attendees.
United Rotorcraft Solutions (URS) recently completed a contract with the San Antonio (TX) Police Department Helicopter Detail to install the LoJack system in all three of the department's Schweizer 333s. Known as the "Blue Eagle", the SAPD Helicopter Detail's daily activities in support of law enforcement include assisting patrol, traffic and SWAT in tracking and locating suspects.
Start off the year with some airborne police aviation education and networking in Tampa, FL on January 13-15, 2010. Hosted by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, the event will take place at Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay with an APSA room rate of $103 per night. 
