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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. Fallen New Mexico State Police Officer Remembered
The hiker and graduate student, Megumi Yamamoto, also died in the crash. The only survivor was Officer Wesley Cox, a state police officer who served as the observer on the mission. Cox, 29, is recovering from leg and back injuries. The crash happened after Tingwall and Cox landed near an alpine lake in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, carried Yamamoto to the helicopter, and took off. But clouds rolled in and visibility disappeared, Cox reportedly told state police, and the helicopter's tail rotor apparently hit a tree. The helicopter slammed into a steep and snowy incline near a 12,600-foot mountain. Cox spent the night in the wreckage and hobbled out the next day, walking more than a mile through deep snow and rocky terrain before reaching a rescue team. Sgt. Tingwall was remembered by family, friends and colleagues for his love of flying and commitment to helping others at a memorial service last month where over 1,000 people were in attendance. His wife and two daughters survive him. Source: www.alamogordonews.com/ci_12597429 Legal Issues For Police Wanting to Use UAVs Law enforcement professionals say unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could have a wide range of practical uses, such as observing signs of activity inside and outside a house or building during a hostage situation, following stolen vehicles, and keeping track of forest fires and flooding. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned local law enforcement agencies from using UAVs for surveillance operations without first applying for and receiving a Certificate of Authorization (COA). Tim Adelman, an aviation lawyer who is currently lobbying the Federal Aviation Administration on behalf of certain law enforcement bodies, said last month, "The FAA is essentially trying to scare people into not using these devices or to require stricter authorization. But that policy exceeds their authority granted by Congress." FAA's Les Dorr said UAVs are not yet reliable enough for operation in the U.S. airspace. "There is nothing to our knowledge and no UAS (unmanned air system) technology at this time that would allow unmanned aircraft to meet the same 'see and avoid' standard that manned aircraft have to operate under," he said in a news report. "Pilots must maintain vigilance during flight to avoid other pilots within their air space by constantly scanning for other aircraft." Lawyer Adelman said that 'see and avoid' standard would be met because the UAVs would be operated by police personnel in the vicinity of the aircraft, and that they would not be used in controlled airspace near airports. He contends public agencies can operate UAVs in compliance with all federal regulations without additional authorization. Source: www.aero-news.net/Pilot Honored for Law Enforcement and Conservation Efforts
Trenholm, DNR's chief pilot and an APSA member, was praised for integration of rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft in the detection of wetlands violations, development of new methods using technology to conduct wildlife surveys, and use of thermal image technology in search and rescue, law enforcement and natural resource research. Damage to Helicopter Result of Arson Attack
Chief Inspector Mark Payne, spokesman for West Midlands Police, said, "The helicopter had flown hundreds of missions, caught countless criminals, and was a key tool in combating crime. This was a crime against the whole community." Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk Police Chopper Loses Window in Flight
The loss of the window did not affect the flight, and the helicopter landed without incident. Tokyo police mobilized 27 police stations to collect information around the area where the window may have fallen. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, there were no reports of injury but they have yet to find the window. Source: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews Deputies Locate $25M Worth of Marijuana
During the investigation, deputies found a large marijuana-growing operation in a remote area. About 10,000 immature marijuana plants were found in the area, and the plants were carried out with the sheriff's helicopter because of rough terrain. Source: www.bakersfieldnow.com Deliveries to U.S Customs and Border Patrol Continue on Schedule
The aggressive delivery schedule calls for an initial order of 17 AS350 B3s to be produced at the rate of almost one a month. The complete multi-year contract may result in orders for a total of 50 AS350 B3s. The CBP Air and Marine has the largest airborne law enforcement fleet in the world and is responsible for nearly 7,000 miles of shared borders between the United States and Canada and Mexico. It also oversees 2,000 miles of coastal waters. The agency has more than 270 aircraft in its fleet. All of these aircraft are being produced at American Eurocopter's Mississippi facility. The CBP also has an additional five EC120s on order. Source: www.amtonline.com Helicopter Crews Rescue 12 from Raging River
Maryland State Police Aviation Command dispatched Trooper 3 and Trooper 5 to assist. Using their spotlight to illuminate the area below, the crew of Trooper 3 began their rescues with victims clinging to a rock that was only one foot above the river rapids. The children were being splashed by the water and appeared to be in imminent danger of hypothermia and exposure. Hovering over the scene, the crew dropped the rescue basket to the rocks four times and hoisted five victims into the helicopter. While Trooper 3 was off-loading patients, the crew of Trooper 5 took over rescue operations for the remaining victims. All the victims survived the ordeal. It is believed the group had been rafting or tubing in the river when the fast moving rapids caused them to become stranded on the rocks. Source: www.somd.com Helicopter Owner Donates Copter and Time The Mesa County (CO) Sheriff's Department received a gift last month. Jean Francis Mugnier, 57, donated his helicopter and his skills as a pilot to the sheriff's department. The generous gift will only cost the taxpayers around $6,200 a year for insurance. Mugnier is declining to accept any other form of payment, except for automobile mileage to and from the airport. "He wants to volunteer everything," said an amazed Sheriff Stan Hilkey. "A helicopter is a very expensive resource." Mugnier, an engineer who travels the globe designing and building ski lifts, had been searching for a way to give back to his community and this country. One day, he saw a newspaper article about a mountain climber who is volunteering with the Mesa County Sheriff's Department. He flew down to the Sheriff's Department the next day. "(Hilkey) thought I was a pilot looking for a job," Mugnier recalled. Source: www.gjsentinel.com Oakland Police Ground Choppers
"It's going to affect public safety. We are a tremendous force multiplier in the city of Oakland. I think even in the leanest of times, we're one of the most valuable assets we have," said Sgt. Kyle Thomas of the Oakland Police Department Air Support Unit. "Essentially, we can do the work of 12 ground units because we're flying in the air, air response time is much quicker and we zip from call to call in seconds." Statistics show that last year, the helicopter unit helped in almost 650 arrests and responded to almost 6,000 calls. Taking the helicopters out of service will save the city approximately $375,000. The four officers who staff the chopper will be reassigned to the street patrol division. Source: abclocal.go.com Cleveland Helicopter Makes Safe Emergency Landing
Source: www.cleveland.com
Australia Cracks Down on Laser Strikes
Police Minister Neil Roberts said the man was charged after he allegedly pointed a high intensity laser beam four times at an emergency services rescue helicopter last month. "He is the first person in Queensland to be charged under legislation introduced by the Bligh Government last year, and updated in May of this year, in a bid to curb this dangerous practice and prosecute those responsible. The man will appear in court on July 13. Source: www.australia.to Alabama Agency Testing Camera System
Sheriff Walls said this camera would help his department with search and rescue, fight the war on drugs, and also provide some demonstrations for the military. Source: www.waff.com San Bernardino Aviation Shuts Down
With loss of the $500,000 annual helicopter contract, San Bernardino, for the first time in three years, will return to using the sheriff's aerial service. "To put that burden on the sheriff's department, it's difficult," said Leo Bell, a retired sheriff's deputy whose California Aviation Services provided San Bernardino's helicopter and pilots. "You think of the vast square mileage they have to cover." "It's a real misfortune for the people of San Bernardino to lose this asset," City Attorney Jim Penman said. "It served as a real deterrent." But the depth of San Bernardino's budget crisis, the city is facing a $4.7 million shortfall for the new fiscal year, makes the program expendable. Source: www.pe.com Submit Your Nominations For Helicopter Heroism Awards For more than 40 years, the Helicopter Heroism Award has recognized the most dramatic displays of courage and heroism involving helicopters. Presented by Rotor & Wing Magazine, this year's award ceremony will honor the heroism exhibited throughout the various rotorcraft communities with multiple “Above and Beyond the Call Awards” to be presented on September 2-3, 2009 to deserving helicopter crews and individuals in addition to the 41st annual Helicopter Heroism Award. August 1, 2009 is the nominations deadline. Go to www.SearchandRescueSummit.com for forms and additional information. Safety Seminar Scheduled in Las Vegas Make plans now! The 2009 Western Region Safety Seminar will take place on September 23-25 and be hosted by the Las Vegas (NV) Metropolitan Police Department. You may book your rooms now at our host hotel, the Rio All-Suites Casino Resort. In addition to an outstanding educational lineup, APSA will be offering an optional Water Survival class on Wednesday, September 23, from 1000-1200 in the classroom and 1300–1600 at the hotel pool. To register or for more detailed information, please visit our website atwww.alea.org/public/seminars/western/index.aspx. Don't Miss The Largest Airborne Law Enforcement Education Event of the Year!
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New Mexico State Police Chief Pilot, Sgt. Andrew (Andy) Tingwall, died in the line of duty on June 11, 2009. The tragedy happened following a police helicopter crash on a mountainside near Santa Fe, New Mexico. He and a police observer had just taken off after rescuing a stranded hiker when the helicopter struck the mountainside and crashed. Sgt. Tingwall died on his 36th birthday and was a 13-year veteran of NMSP.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Captain Mike Trenholm was presented with the 2009 Conservation Officer of the Year during a meeting in Washington, D.C. last month from the Safari Club International (SCI). “You have been a true champion for law enforcement as well as conservation in Minnesota, and your efforts are greatly appreciated,” said Joseph Hosmer, SCI Vice President.
The West Midlands Police Air Operations Unit's helicopter suffered "extensive damage" in a suspected arson attack last month in the United Kingdom. Air traffic controllers raised the alarm when they spotted flames on the front of the helicopter at its landing site. Assistant Chief Constable Gary Cann said, "We do suspect this is an arson attack, which is why we launched a criminal investigation immediately." Forensic experts, detectives and airport security staff are working together on the investigation.
A window of a Tokyo (Japan) Metropolitan Police Department helicopter fell off during a flight last month. After the Otori 7 helicopter started patrol, a crewmember noticed a change in atmospheric pressure and realized the rear left window was missing.
Kern County (CA) Sheriff's Office located and eradicated about $25 million worth of marijuana plants last month in the area of Breckenridge Mountain. The department had received information from a cattle ranch employee that the ranch's water supply was being illegally diverted by an unknown source.
The U.S Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) took delivery last month of its fifth AS350 B3 since the beginning of the year. The delivery is part of the light enforcement helicopter contract that the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the CBP.
Twelve people, most of whom were children, were rescued last month from the raging waters of the Shenandoah River. Two Maryland State Police helicopters appeared and hoisted them to safety. The scene was dark and dangerous. A mountain was on one side of the riverbank and trees were along the river on the other side. There were also trees growing from rock islands in the middle of the river.
As of late June, the Oakland (CA) Police Department has grounded its two helicopters because of budget cuts.
A Cleveland (OH) Police Department helicopter pilot was forced to make an emergency landing last month when the chopper's engine failed enroute to Columbus. Officer Art Fantroy put the aircraft down between two trailer homes on a farm. No one was injured and the aircraft was not damaged. "His training and experience saved his life," police spokesman Lt. Thomas Stacho said. "He saved himself and a million-dollar helicopter."
A 17-year-old man has become the first person in Queensland, Australia to be charged under laws aimed at curbing the dangerous practice of pointing laser lights at aircraft. The quick thinking of the pilot and the control tower greatly assisted in apprehending the man.
The Marshall County (AL) Sheriff's Department helicopter, Helo One, has a new camera system to help deputies fight crime. The Sheriff's Office has become a beta test site for a military defense contractor. "This particular system is being used by the military in Afghanistan and Iraq, and it is the latest technology that will allow you to take long range pictures and video from the air," said Marshall County Sheriff Scott Walls. Five deputies have been trained to use the system, and two pilots are trained on how to maneuver the aircraft.
Crewmembers arrived at San Bernardino International Airport last month to participate in a barbeque to commemorate the last day of the San Bernardino (CA) Police Department's dedicated helicopter patrol. June 28 was a day for bittersweet reflection. Success stories were traded under the cloud of the copter's last shift -- the latest victim of a city budget crisis. "It's going to hurt," said San Bernardino police Officer Josh Cunningham, the department's flying observer. "We went a lot of places patrol vehicles couldn't."
This is your last chance to register for APSA's 39th Annual Conference & Exhibition to be held in Savannah, GA. We're counting down the final days to July 22 --- so if you haven't done so already, register today at 
