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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. Aircrews Deliver Toys To Sick Children During Annual Fly-In
"When all of the helicopters landed and to see all of the motorcycles coming, that was pretty cool," said 14-year-old Loma Linda resident Kevin Benitez. "It's pretty cool that they took the time out to help kids who are sick." Riverside police flight Officer Don Miskulin helped get the fly-in started in 1998. He said even with agencies facing budget constraints, the turnout was the biggest ever as officers brought more police cars and motorcycles instead of flying in helicopters. "It's amazing," he said. "When we did this the first time, we came out for a one-time deal. Now with four years until retirement, I am thinking how can I hand this off so it can perpetuate. Source: www.pe.com Farewell Ceremony Held For Colorado Springs Air Unit
"To the officers who have flown on this program, you are among the unsung heroes of our community," said CSPD Chief Richard Myers. "We in the police department are frustrated and sad to witness our declining ability to provide the quality of service one should expect in one of America's top 50 cities." In the 13-year history of the unit, they have saved lives and kept officers safe. Sgt. Dan Lofgren, CSPD pilot, said, “I'd be lying if I said it isn't going to be hard to walk away from this position." Police say it will likely be many years before the city has the money to buy another helicopter and restart the aviation unit. Source: www.coloradoconnection.com UK Agency Marks 20 Years In Service
Chief Superintendent Chris Hardern, head of the AOU and chair of the Yorkshire and Humberside Air Consortium, said, "It was a real pleasure to have Dave and Tony back at Carrgate and show them where we are today with the unit. It is hard to believe that there was a time when air support was seen as an extravagance for a police force. Today, certainly, the police helicopter more than justifies its existence through the hours it saves officers on the ground when conducting pursuits and searches and in the arrests it is instrumental in making. " The current police helicopter is a MD902 Explorer with the call sign of X-Ray 99. It is the busiest police helicopter in the United Kingdom having flown for over 11,435 hours since 2001. The air unit is staffed by four pilots, a chief pilot, 12 observers, a training officer, and led by UEO John Whittaker. It is now also possible to view the activity of X-Ray 99 through a dedicated web page on the West Yorkshire Police website. This page is accessed through the departmental profiles section of www.westyorkshire.police.uk. The Air Operations Unit page also features virtual tours of the helicopter and more information. Source: www.westyorkshire.police.uk New Zealand Air Support Unit To Be Honored at Heli-Expo
Among the 2010 winners is the New Zealand Police Department Air Support Unit who will be honored with the MD Helicopters Law Enforcement Award during the HAI banquet and awards ceremony to be held on Monday, February 22, 2010, at HELI-EXPO 2010 in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.rotor.com. Source: HAI FLIR Buys Motion Control System Provider
Directed Perception has been re-named FLIR Motion Control Systems and will operate as a part of FLIR's Commercial Systems division. Source: FLIR Systems, Inc. Injured Hiker Rescued by Helicopter
Source: www.mercurynews.com Police Reflect On Crew's Outstanding Performance
John Jameson, the unit's executive officer, said, "Sometimes, when the conditions are not suitable for a land ambulance and the police helicopter is close to a scene, it can be used as an air ambulance, saving valuable time when transporting a casualty to the hospital. It's equipped with a powerful searchlight and thermal imaging camera, both of which are key to finding suspects or missing people and footage recorded by the crew is often used as evidence in court." Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk AgustaWestland Chosen for Bulgarian Border Patrols
The Bulgarian Border Police will be able to provide a greatly enhanced aerial policing service in the country as well as a comprehensive SAR capability over the sea and in mountainous areas. The Bulgarian Border Police's AW139 will feature an advanced range of dedicated mission equipment including an Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), moving map, weather/search radar, cargo hook, emergency floats, rescue hoist, external loudspeaker, searching light, NVG-compatible cockpit, FLIR, video downlink and mission console. Source: AgustaWestland Topeka Police Helicopter's Future Uncertain A resolution to keep the Topeka (KS) Police Department helicopter operating was taken off the city council agenda last month. Planned funding for the helicopter in 2010 was to come from $150,000 of seized drug money. That will not happen now, so the 1994 Schweitzer 300 chopper ceased operation on December 31. Deputy Chief Herman said the department has a three-year lease on the hangar space, but they will try to get out of that contract. It's still unclear what might happen to the aircraft. It could be sold or the city could just keep it as an asset that could be used in the future. "It's bittersweet to see the helicopter go and we'll do what the council wishes and this is what they wish to be done," said Deputy Chief Gary Herman. "But we will miss it and it was a great asset and saved a lot of lives." Source: www.ktka.com
Source: www.police.nsw.gov.au Florida Student Charged For Shining Laser
Richard Anderson, an associate professor at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, said he has seen more cases of pilots being distracted by laser beams in recent years. "A lot of people probably don't know they shouldn't do it," Anderson said. "A 15-year-old kid who's trying to entertain himself is probably not aware of the consequences that could happen." Source: www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety Officer Works Hard Applying For Grants
The money has gone to a variety of projects, including full funding for two officers, a new tactical vehicle for the SWAT team, new uniforms, two new drug-sniffing dogs and imaging equipment for the evidence teams and the helicopter squad. “I think the grants are giving us the opportunity to purchase things that normally we would not have the opportunity to purchase,” Cole said. “We apply for everything we can apply for that we have a need for.” She said law enforcement grants this year have required less of a match for her department than in previous years, when 80 percent grant and 20 percent matching funds was more common. Source: www.independentmail.com Man Receives Sentence for Pointing Laser at UK Police Aircraft
Following sentencing, the man said he was ashamed of what he did and was relieved he was not being sent to prison. "What I did was just shameful. I do feel bad, really, to be honest and I do regret it," he added. The number of similar incidents reported to the Civil Aviation Authority has grown dramatically in recent years with more than 500 incidents reported. Source: news.bbc.co.uk
Fulfill that resolution to get more assignment-specific training this year by attending the APSA Southeast Region Safety Seminar in Tampa. Hosted by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, this event takes place January 12-15, 2010 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Go towww.alea.org/public/seminars/index.aspx for the educational and networking agendas. APSA Hosts 40th Annual Conference & Exposition
All of these provide significant value and efficiency that you can take home and use all year long! Make plans to attend APSA's 40th Annual Conference & Exposition on July 14-17, 2010, in Tucson, AZ. Click here for online information and registration www.alea.org/public/seminars/index.aspx. |
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The 11th annual “Cops for Kids Fly-In” was recently held at Loma Linda University Medical Center campus. The aviation units at Riverside (CA) Police Department and the San Bernardino (CA) County Sheriff's Office coordinate this annual event. More than 100 police officers arrived by helicopter, squad car, motorcycle and armored vehicle to greet children and deliver toys. The young patients and their parents toured the four police helicopters that landed on the university's north lawn, turned on the lights and sirens in patrol cars and sat on the seats of police motorcycles.
The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) officially decommissioned its helicopter unit last month. Budget cuts and aging aircraft mean the eyes in the sky that ground police rely on are gone. It was a sad day for CSPD. The department held a ceremony to say goodbye to one of the smaller but most effective units on the force.
West Yorkshire Police Department's Air Operations Unit (AOU) celebrated 20 years of service last month. To mark the date, the AOU invited some of its founding members to visit and see how things have changed over the past two decades. Among those in attendance was Dave Attwood, the department's first Chief Pilot. Attwood and Tony Mullineaux, the department's first Unit Executive Officer (UEO), were effectively responsible for establishing the force's rules and regulations on air support and for convincing police officers and the public that a police helicopter was a valuable asset at a time when they were generally regarded as an expensive toy.
The Helicopter Association International (HAI) announced its “Salute to Excellence” award winners for 2010 last month. The Salute to Excellence Awards program, now in its 49th year, recognizes outstanding achievement performed by individuals or companies in the international helicopter community.
FLIR Systems, Inc. acquired the stock of Directed Perception, Inc., a leading provider of pan-tilt motion control systems, for $20 million cash last month. Directed Perception has earned a worldwide reputation as a pioneer and leader in high-performance pan-tilts in security and surveillance, maritime, military, robotics and scientific instruments markets. The acquisition of Directed Perception will enhance and differentiate FLIR's pan-tilt-zoom camera systems through lower cost, improved functionality and ease-of-use.
A hiker who was stranded on a ledge after falling 100 feet down the side of a cliff in the Angeles National Forest in California was rescued last month. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials say the man fell while hiking a trail, injuring his right leg. The man found himself stuck in a precarious position and called 911, despite intermittent cell phone coverage. He improvised a splint for his injured leg with his bootlaces and a hammer. The hiker called 911 again and was spotted by LASD Aero Bureau's helicopter. He was hoisted into the helicopter and airlifted to a nearby hospital. 
The North Midlands (UK) Helicopter Support Unit, which is owned by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Police Departments, helped to arrest 313 suspects that may have evaded police if the helicopter had not been used last year. The unit also found 50 stolen vehicles and aided in major operations such as festivals, protests and emergency situations.
The Bulgarian Border Police have ordered an AW139 medium twin helicopter. The main mission of the helicopter, procured through the Ministries of Finance and Interior of Bulgaria, is to provide a reliable air surveillance capability on the outer European Union borders, since Bulgaria is expected to be a Schengen Zone Member starting in March 2011.
New South Wales Police Department initiated “Operation Safe Arrival” last month in Australia, which is the department's annual two-week Christmas/New Year road safety campaign. This year, motorists were targeted with the use of a Cessna 206H Stationair. Commissioner Andrew Scipione said, “On average, nine people die on our state's roads every week. This means that during the period that Operation Safe Arrival runs, potentially 18 people will not be there for the happy times that people celebrate this time of year.”
The noise from a hovering Pinellas County (FL) Sheriff's Office helicopter was keeping an 18-year-old college student awake one night last month, so he tried to “shoo away” the aircraft with a high-powered laser pointer. The man was arrested on a charge of misusing a laser lighting device. According to his arrest report, he had owned the laser pointer for only a week and he said what he did was "just being stupid." The man's charge is a felony, which is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Keeping Sgt. Sheila Cole at a desk is helping the Anderson (SC) County Sheriff's Office catch more criminals. In the last year, with help from others, she has brought in around $1.6 million worth of state and federal grants that required the sheriff's office to pony up only $10,000 in matching funds.
A 20-year-old man who admitted shining a laser at a police helicopter last August as it flew over Oxford, London was sentenced to carry out 200 hours community service last month. In an earlier hearing, he admitted endangering the safety of the aircraft. The laser caused mild eye irritation to two of the Chiltern Air Support Unit officers on board. Court magistrates said the consequences could have been catastrophic.
APSA Training Alert – Safety Seminar Next Week in Tampa, FL
In a challenging economy, it is more important than ever to stay educated, keep up-to-date with industry trends, see new products and services, and maintain and build relationships in the airborne law enforcement profession.
