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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. Jury Found Man Guilty of Shooting at Police Helicopter
According to testimony presented at trial, deputies from OCSO responded to an early-morning 911 emergency call on March 21, 2010 of shots being fired in a residential neighborhood. As deputies investigated the call, OCSO helicopter "Chase Three" arrived on the scene to provide aerial support. At trial, deputies and neighbors testified that within moments of its arrival, Chase Three was fired upon. The man took the witness stand in his trial and testified that he was going to commit suicide with the handgun that morning, but eventually decided not to end his life. He claimed that he did not want a loaded weapon in the house, so he discharged a number of bullets into the air. He denied that he was shooting at Chase Three at the time. A federal jury rejected the man's claim that he did not shoot at Chase Three and found him guilty of the three counts charged in the indictment. This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice's “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program, a nationwide gun-violence reduction strategy led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). Source: Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office Pigeon Strikes Police Aircraft
Giunta estimated he was flying about 900 feet when the first of two birds struck the helicopter. “I think the bird came in at an angle as we were flying on that course, and as it came in, it impacted the instrument,” Giunta said. The bird glanced off the instrument panel and struck the TFO's helmet, which protected the officer from more serious injury. Source: www.swrnn.com Helicopter Crew in "Lucky" Escape
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay said, "We believe the helicopter was going to land close to Saturday's crash site when the incident occurred. The helicopter turned upside down, but all four people on board were able to get out. They are lucky to be alive." Bad weather prevented the shaken crew (a pilot, photographer, observer and emergency team officer) from being taken off the mountainside immediately. Three hours later, a Royal Air Force rescue helicopter transported everyone to the hospital. Source: http://news.scotsman.com/uk New Mexico Sheriff Pleased With New Aircraft
"Airplanes save lives, that's just the bottom line," Coffman said. In addition to patrol, the aircraft will be used to track down missing people and aid firefighters with managing grass fires. "The airplane is indispensable, there's just no other means that will substitute that, so it's a great asset for the county and I think it'll be tremendous asset for the Sheriff's Department and the citizens as a whole," Coffman said. Source: www.newswest9.com Man Charged With Laser Strike on Police Airplane
If convicted, the man faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. Source: www.usdoj.gov LoJack Device Helps Locate Child & Stolen Equipment
After notifying dispatch, the code came back to a stolen yellow Caterpillar D5 bulldozer. Within minutes of returning to the area of the signal emission, the aircrew spotted the stolen bulldozer. Another piece of construction equipment, a backhoe, was also discovered as stolen. Both are valued at $100,000. LoJack systems are currently operable in about 30 states. In the case of DeSoto County Sheriff's Department, LoJack donated the transceiver and it is the first agency in Mississippi to be armed with such technology. Source: www.desototimes.com Otsego County Eradicates Marijuana From Area
The Otsego County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the following agencies with their annual eradication efforts: Oneonta Police Department, New York State Division of Parole, Otsego County Probation Department, Otsego County Emergency Services, Chenango and Schoharie County Sheriff's Offices, Civilian Air Patrol, New York State Police Aviation Unit and National Guard Counterdrug Aviation Unit. Source: www.wktv.com/news Crew Rescues Stranded Father and Son
With temperatures dropping and darkness approaching, Detective Christopher Lieberman, the unit's chief pilot, brought the helicopter down to within inches of the mud and hovered there while Officer Brian Powers, who went out on the skids of the aircraft, physically pulled father and son from the mud and hauled them into the aircraft. He was assisted by Officer Michael Brady from inside the helicopter. Public Safety Commissioner George Longworth praised the skill of the aviation crew and said it was fortunate that the father had a cell phone with him to dial 911 when trouble struck. Source: www.midhudsonnews.com U.S. Delivers 'Merida Initiative' Helicopters to Mexico
In a binational ceremony at Mexico's Iztapalapa Federal Police Force base, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Carlos Pascual said, "It is important to recognize that, despite the significant threat transnational organized crimes pose to public security, we also have tools in our arsenal to fight back. Our bilateral relationship, while intangible, is one such tool. These helicopters are another. We will jointly continue to put these tools to best use, and it is through these combined efforts that we will turn the tide against the cartels and provide greater security to both our countries." Under the Merida Initiative, the United States has delivered more than $310 million in equipment and training to date with plans to deliver an additional $495 million in equipment and training by the end of 2011. The Government of Mexico has committed tremendous resources to combating transnational criminal organizations. The support delivered by the U.S. under the Merida Initiative will serve to strengthen the shared goals of citizen safety, security and respect for the rule of law. Source: U.S. Department of State Air Beat Goes Digital in 2011
Air Beat is also looking for a few police aviation agencies to profile in 2011. Specifically, we are looking for agencies that would like to share their experience with microwave downlink, moving maps, alternative aircraft, and search and rescue missions. Contact airbeat@PublicSafetyAviation.org for more information. China Boosts Aircraft Power
This is the third AW139 aircraft ordered in China for law enforcement duties following the one purchased by the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau and another ordered by the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau. Source: http://new.rotor.com Winglets Provide Benefits to King Air and Bell Operators
On the rotorcraft side, Bell Helicopter Textron will install BLR's FastFin Tail Rotor Enhancement and Stability System as standard equipment on new Bell 412EP helicopters. The FastFin System improves productivity and safety while reducing workload for helicopter operators. FastFin also expands lifting capacity and performance while enabling greater stability in hover operations. FastFin is also available for Bell 204, 205, 212, Huey II, and most UH-1 derivatives as an aftermarket upgrade. Source: BLR Aerospace
Annual "Cops for Kids" Event Brought Joy To Sick Children
There were enough gifts for each child at the hospital to get one, according to organizer and Riverside (CA) Police Department pilot Don Miskulin. Started by Miskulin and his then-partner in 1998, the Cops for Kids event asked that participating pilots bring extra police-issue hats as souvenirs for the children. "They didn't just bring caps, they all showed up with a lot of gifts," Miskulin said. Each individual police department had its own toy drive to help support the event. Source: www.inlandnewspapers.com APSA Safety Seminar Heads South
All of the classes will take place at the host hotel, Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village. If registered before January 3, 2011, the discounted room rate is $99 per night. Please direct any questions to Kevin Vislocky at kvislocky@PublicSafetyAviation.org. |
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A federal jury found a 26-year-old guilty of attempted destruction of an Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office (OCSO) aircraft, using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm. The Orlando, FL man faces a minimum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 4, 2011.
An El Monte (CA) Police Department pilot and tactical flight officer made an emergency landing last month after a pigeon smashed through the aircraft's windshield. “There was glass, cold air and bird feathers flying all over in a second,” El Monte police Pilot Joe Giunta said in a news report. “We definitely heard and felt the impact, and we both felt the plexiglass hitting us right at the moment of impact.”
A police aircrew escaped serious injury last month when their helicopter flipped upside down on landing. All four men were able to walk away from the wreckage of the overturned Eurocopter Squirrel in Northern Ireland. The crew had been taking part in an investigation following the previous weekend's fatal helicopter crash in which three men were killed.
The Lea County (NM) Sheriff's Department now has a Cessna aircraft to help patrol the county's 5,000 square-mile region. Sheriff Rod Coffman announced recently that the airplane was purchased with seized drug monies and private donations. A small price, he says, for the added security and comfort it provides to the county.
Last month, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging a 51-year-old man with interference of an aircraft for pointing a laser at a California Highway Patrol (CHP) airplane. The indictment alleges that on August 30, 2010, the man struck a CHP Cessna 206 multiple times with a powerful green laser while it was flying. This case is the product of a joint investigation by the CHP, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Federal Air Marshals with the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Last month, the Desoto County (MS) Sheriff's Department Aviation Unit was called by Panola County Sheriff's Department to assist in a search of a missing three-year-old. While en route back to the hangar after helping locate the child, the LoJack Stolen Recovery System installed in the helicopter sounded an alarm. The alarm alerts personnel to the fact that some type of stolen equipment, car, truck, motorcycle or construction equipment is within a reasonable distance of the aircraft.
The Otsego County (NY) Sheriff's Office announced last month that more than $1 million worth of marijuana plants were seized and destroyed this past summer and fall. 
Westchester County (NY) Police Department Aviation Unit's officers rescued a man and his six-year-old son who became stuck in deep mud last month. Ground officers and firefighters were planning a rescue attempt from the shore, but thick mud, tall weeds and the remote location made accessibility difficult. 
The Government of Mexico's Federal Police Force (SSP) took delivery of three Black Hawk UH-60M helicopters last month from the United States Department of State. The helicopters, valued at $64 million, will compliment the SSP's current air fleet by expanding law enforcement operations, allowing for rapid response and increased mobility of law enforcement personnel, provide access to remote and hard to reach regions, and expanding interdiction operations to target illicit activities. 
The staff of Air Beat is geared up for 2011. In addition to having a full-color glossy magazine delivered to your mailbox, you will now have the option to read Air Beat on your computer, laptop or mobile device. In order to receive the digital version, make sure we have your current email address by going to our website and verifying your information. If needed, you can update your info online. Be looking for a delivery option form in your email inbox soon. 
The Police of the Province of Guanxi in China have placed an order for an AW139 medium-twin helicopter. This aircraft will be used to perform a number of roles including airborne law enforcement and disaster relief. The AW139 adds to the AW109 Power light-twin helicopter recently delivered to the Nanning Public Security Bureau, further strengthening the operational capabilities in the capital of Guanxi Province. This new contract is part of a helicopter fleet modernization and expansion program that will include additional aircraft to even better serve the local community. 
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation introduced its new King Air 250 last month, featuring BLR Winglet Systems as a key performance enhancement. Winglet Systems, available through BLR Aerospace, deliver an array of important benefits to King Air operators, including improved handling qualities, reduced fuel burn, and increased vertical rate of climb. 
Brazilian Agency Acquires Aircraft and Training
Four police helicopters landed at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital on November 2 as part of the annual Cops for Kids Fly-in. About 70 officers from six California police departments participated in the fly-in, which lasted for about three hours. Patients and parents at the hospital expressed joy as they saw helicopter landings, police motorcycles and police dogs biting officers in padded suits. Children also could climb into the helicopters, pet the dogs and talk to the officers. The annual event culminated with the distribution of toys gathered by many local police and sheriff's departments.
Don't miss the 2011 Southeast Region Safety Seminar that will take place January 26-28 in St. Augustine, FL. Among the many educational sessions offered such as airborne threats, fuel handling, obstacle avoidance and safety training, there will be an optional Water Survival Course for $30 available on Wednesday the 26th. Also on Wednesday, a Unit Commander's Forum will be held from 1300 to 1600 hours. This forum is an excellent opportunity to network with other aviation unit commanders and discuss issues of specific concern. All unit commanders are encouraged to attend. The St. Johns (FL) County Sheriff's Office is hosting the safety seminar.
