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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. Lawmen Killed In Airplane Crash
A narcotics task force had raided two large marijuana plantations in the area two weeks earlier and the duo were searching for additional grows nearby when radio contact was lost at approximately 9:30 am. A rescue team located the smoldering wreckage of the Piper Super Cruiser in rugged terrain in the San Isabel National Forest. The cause of the wreck is not yet known. Neighbors said in a news report that the longtime public servants not only were dedicated to their community but also reached out to neighbors to help in times of need. Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk Taylor was brought to tears when talking about the loss of the two men last month. He described them both as being close personal friends. SOURCE: http://www.odmp.org/officer/21378-captain-leide-defusco#ixzz25b6YhtlL Sheriff Gives Forfeiture Money to Aviation Unit
Bright gave the money to the Aviation Unit to help defray costs for the helicopter's operations after receiving assistance in finding an outdoor marijuana cultivation operation in Jackson County in the fall of 2010. "We ultimately ended up seizing some property and real estate down there and we wanted to show our appreciation to the (Wood County) Sheriff's Department. We've been cooperating partners for a number of years," Bright said. Sheriff Sandy said Wood County is the only sheriff's department in West Virginia that maintains an aviation unit and it is much in demand throughout the state. SOURCE: www.newsandsentinel.com Ripon Police Celebrate Three Years of Success With Unconventional Aircraft
The powered parachute is extremely economical to operate. When fuel, maintenance, insurance and additional costs are added up, it costs approximately $40 an hour to operate. The aircraft does not need a traditional runway and there is no need for a traditional aircraft hangar. Pilots are licensed sport pilots with powered parachute ratings. The aircraft is equipped with aviation and police radios, GPS and onboard computer systems. Pilots utilize iPhone technology and digital video/photographic equipment while on board the aircraft. The Ripon Police Department Aviation Unit has completed a variety of law enforcement missions including: missing person cases, river search/rescue, suspect captures, crime scene location, aerial crime scene photography, major event security over-flights, gang/graffiti suppression, burglary suppression, auto theft suppression, critical infrastructure over-flights, narcotics investigations, homicide investigations, traffic fatality investigations and patrol support missions. Ripon Police Department Aviation Unit has proven the concept that small and rural law enforcement agencies can implement and maintain an aviation unit on a tight budget. SOURCE: Ripon Police Department Little Rock Police to Bring Back Air Support
Two helicopters have been in a city hangar since they were grounded. The department has flown the helicopters about every two weeks. "Helicopters are helpful in pursuits and locating individuals in places where it would be more difficult for an officer on the ground," said Sgt. Cassandra Davis. "It's more of a safety net for an officer, if a suspect is hiding behind a building or waiting for an ambush, a helicopter does have a larger field of view," added Sgt. Davis. SOURCE: www.arkansasonline.com New Night Vision Advisory Council Seeks Participation
The Night Vision Advisory Council (NVAC) will function as a tier-based, industry driven council. The NVAC is divided into seven industry segments to include: Air Medical/135; A/C Integrators/Maintainers/145; Firefighting/133/137; Law Enforcement/91/ Public Aircraft; Maintenance (NVGs) 145/43; OEM (NVG); STC Holders/PMA/21; and Training 61/141/142. NVAC is seeking additional members with a desire to aid in shaping the future of the night vision industry. NVAC consists of night vision manufacturers, trainers and operators providing guidance to enhance regulatory issues. NVAC members are aviation professionals that have an interest in regulatory and operational oversight of the night vision industry. Initial NVAC focus will be night vision goggle (NVG) related issues. NVAC will function autonomously without influence of interest groups or organizations. The primary purpose of NVAC initiatives will be safety, education, consultation and facilitation of night vision related activities. The first NVAC meeting is scheduled for September 19 in Dallas, TX. This setting is fitting as the meeting precedes NightCon 2012; the civil industry's only night vision conference. For information, contact Randy Rowles at 561-386-6078 or rrowles@eratrainingcenter.com. SOURCE: NVAC Officers Lased While Investigating Green Beam
SOURCE: Fresno Police Department APSA Displays at AUVSI Conference
The four-day conference is a big draw with people who develop, make, service, supply and operate unmanned vehicles. With requirements imposed by Congress, the Federal Aviation Administration is working on rules for integrating unmanned aircraft into the National Air Space by 2015. Speakers addressed cyber security challenges, as well as privacy and ethics issues posed by smaller and smaller unmanned surveillance systems, civil and law enforcement uses for robots and unmanned aircraft, new developments in maritime systems, export regulations on selling unmanned technology overseas and the latest technology developments. APSA CFO Dan Schwarzbach staffed the APSA booth along with Canadian Region Director Rob O'Quinn and Operations Manager Carrie Cosens. On the first day of the conference, Schwarzbach also co-moderated the Public Safety UAS Information & Education Workshop. "The increased traffic at our booth and the increased attendance at the Public Safety Workshop over last year are indicative of public safety's, and particularly law enforcement's, growing interest in the use of UAS as the Congressional deadline for their integration into the NAS draws closer," Schwarzbach said. NTSB Issues Safety Alert About Weather Radar Displays
NEXRAD mosaic imagery depicts weather conditions from multiple ground radar sites. The NEXRAD age-indicator on the cockpit display indicates the time that the mosaic image was created, not the time of the actual weather conditions. The NEXRAD image is always older than the actual weather conditions. The NTSB has cited two fatal weather-related aircraft accidents in which NEXRAD images were displayed to the pilot that were presented as one-minute old on the age-indicator, but contained information that was up to five to eight minutes behind the real-time conditions. In addition to raising pilot awareness on this issue, the safety alert also reminds pilots of the importance of obtaining a thorough preflight weather briefing. The alert is available at http://go.usa.gov/v0Z. SOURCE: NTSB RCMP Adds Two UASs To Aerial Arsenal
The technology, valued at about $30,000, provides police with the ability to capture still photos and video. A trained pilot assisted by a payload operator and a safety officer from the ground controls the UAS. A special flight operations certificate was obtained from Transport Canada under the Canadian Aviation Regulations to operate the units under strict regulations. Watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMuAQ3gHOjc&feature=player_embedded to see the UAS in action. SOURCE: www.chrisd.ca Austin Approves New Police Helicopter Purchase The Austin (TX) City Council unanimously approved a $2.6 million expenditure for a new AS350 B3e police helicopter last month that will be used to fight wildfires and rescue people. A second purchase at a later date Police Chief Art Acevedo said the department expects the new helicopter to be ready by the spring of 2013. While it will be a police department helicopter, it can also be used by the city's other agencies for search and rescue missions and to dump water on wildfires. "I'm excited. It's something that has been a long time coming," Acevedo said. "We as a city will have an enhanced capability we did not have." SOURCE: www.statesman.com APSA, Other Organizations Adopt IACP Guidelines For Use of UASs
"The unmanned aircraft industry applauds these organizations for adopting the IACP, which demonstrates their dedication to protecting communities, as well as the rights of the people within those communities," said Michael Toscano, President/CEO of AUVSI. "Unmanned aircraft help law enforcement agencies with missions such as search and rescue, crime scene photography, and other dangerous or difficult tasks, often at a lower cost than manned aircraft. The IACP guidelines, which won praise from privacy advocates, and their adoption by others within the law enforcement community, exemplify the community's commitment to use this technology responsibly and with respect to the individual rights we all cherish." The IACP guidelines adopted by APSA, FBI-LEEDA, and FBINAA cover community engagement, system requirements, operational procedures and image retention. They direct law enforcement agencies to engage with the community, specifically their governing body and civil liberties advocates, about how UAS will be used and protections put in place to uphold citizens' rights. The guidelines also encourage notifying those living and working in the vicinity of aircraft operations, when possible. The guidelines call for a transparent implementation process for agencies desiring UAS, including a period of public comment. A poll conducted earlier this year by Monmouth University found strong public support for law enforcement's use of UAS in search and rescue missions, tracking runaway criminals, protecting U.S. borders and controlling illegal immigration. SOURCE: www.rotor.com Integrating Unmanned Vehicles in National Airspace
"We need to change the way we do business," said Huerta, who oversees the agency's 47,000 employees and $16 billion budget. "We've looked ahead over a decade out and we know where we want to be in 2025, but the FAA's internal structures were created when the agency was formed 50 years ago. We know we need to realign." "We are going to allow new ideas to soar to their potential," Huerta said. "Our goal is to safely and efficiently integrate unmanned systems into our airspace. Building new technology is one thing, but building human consensus on a path forward for our aviation systems is an equally important task and unbelievably complicated. There's a lot of work that has to be done, but I am very optimistic that we'll get there." SOURCE: www.policeone.com "Friends of Henry 1" Launched To Support Sheriff's Helicopter Program
Friends of Henry 1 is actively seeking public and private donors to keep these vital services in the air by offsetting crew, fuel, maintenance and equipment costs in order to restore the program to the staffing and service levels of past years. Donations in any amount are accepted through the organization's website at friendsofhenry1.org and are tax deductible. SOURCE: Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Fairfax County Police Welcome New Aircraft
The FCPD Aviation Unit received its first Bell 429 in December of 2011 and has since logged 600 flight hours and executed 900 missions to protect and support the 1.2 million people who reside in Fairfax County. In the first seven months of the year, the FCPD's initial 429 helicopter performed 40 medical evacuations and directly assisted in 34 arrests. Both of FCPD's new 429's were completed and delivered by Paradigm Aerospace Corporation. Becker Avionics' DVCS6100 was chosen for both aircraft due to its unique ability to effectively manage and control all audio sources in the aircraft. FCPD currently has six pilots and 11 tactical flight officers working 12-hour shifts, 24 hours a day. SOURCE: Becker Avionics HAI's "Salute to Excellence" Nominations Open
Any individual or organization, whether or not they are HAI members, may submit nominations or be nominated for one or more of the awards. By acknowledging exceptional individuals and organizations, the Salute to Excellence program encourages the highest standards of professionalism in the helicopter industry. Go towww.rotor.com/Events/SalutetoExcellenceAwards.aspx to learn more. Salute those who deserve to be recognized in 2013 for their contributions to the rotorcraft community - do not let service above and beyond the call of duty go unrecognized! SOURCE: HAI Dallas Police Aircraft Fired Upon By Teenager
The teenager is in jail on two charges of aggravated assault against police, one for each officer inside the helicopter. The last time the Dallas Police Department can recall their helicopter taking fire was in the early 1990s when a suspect fleeing from a bank robbery shot at one with an AK-47. SOURCE: crimeblog.dallasnews.com Emergency Landing At City Intersection
The pilot and observer inside the helicopter sustained minor injuries, but no one on the ground was injured. Police credit that to the pilot and observer's training. The aircraft sustained major damage. The main rotor blades struck the tailboom, severing it and destroying the blades. SOURCE: www2.nbc4i.com LESO Recognizes Agency For Missions
LESO spokesman Kenneth MacNevin explained his agency assists law enforcement agencies nationwide with the acquisition of surplus military equipment and recognizes those agencies based on their use of the equipment. "The equipment has already been paid for by the taxpayer in its purchase by the military, so we oftentimes help supply the different departments with helicopters or other equipment that can be used for the benefit of the community," MacNevin said. Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson said five pilots, two mechanics and many local residents and law enforcement officials volunteer their time to operate the Dale County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit. The unit is the only of its kind in the state besides that of the Alabama Department of Public Safety, and is equipped with more than $5 million worth of aircraft and thousands of dollars in donated fuel and maintenance. "The costs would be astronomical without the help of the pilots, mechanics and companies throughout the community who just want to serve, as well as the support of our county commission," Olson said. "The volunteers don't get paid a penny for what they do, and what they do in saving lives is worth more than words can say," he continued. SOURCE: www2.dothaneagle.com Canadian Safety Seminar Gears Up
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Pueblo County (CO) Sheriff's Office Captain Leide DeFusco, 43, was killed in an airplane crash on August 31, 2012. Captain DeFusco and John Barger, a retired Pueblo Police Department captain who was also killed, were searching for marijuana grows in southern Colorado. Barger was an experienced pilot who provided flight services to local law enforcement agencies. Captain DeFusco had served in law enforcement for 22 years.
Due to the Wood County (WV) Sheriff's Department Aviation Unit's effectiveness in aerial operations, Wood County Sheriff Jeff Sandy received $5,000 last month from neighboring Jackson County Sheriff Mike Bright. The money came from forfeiture funds collected by Jackson County in an earlier drug case.
In July 2009, Ripon (CA) Police Department was the first law enforcement agency in the state of California to implement a designated aviation unit utilizing a powered parachute. The Ripon Police Department has long been recognized as a technology leader in small and rural policing. The department was selected to participate in an aviation test and evaluation project, sponsored by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) Aviation Technology Program. The aircraft, on-board equipment, trailer and pilot training were provided to the department at no cost.
Little Rock (AR) Police Department is bringing back its helicopters. The city shut down the Aviation Unit nine years ago because of budget concerns. City Manager Bruce Moore in a news report said he gave Police Chief Stuart Thomas the go-ahead to bring the helicopters up to code so they can be put to use. Moore said last year's passage of a sales tax (one cent) increase is helping the city bring back its Aviation Unit.
In response to an open invitation, a group of night vision goggle (NVG) industry professionals convened in Dallas, TX last month. Hosted by FlightSafety International, the purpose of the meeting was to develop a council of NVG subject matter experts to provide recommendations on safety, education, standardization, and other issues pertinent to the NVG industry. These recommendations will be provided to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other entities engaged in night vision oversight. The APSA was represented by Northeast Region Director Chris Lieberman, who will continue to participate in the group's activities on behalf of the APSA.
Last month, the Fresno (CA) Police Department Air Support Unit's Skywatch helicopter crew, Air-1, was advised that an air ambulance helicopter was just struck by a green laser as it flew near the airport. Skywatch helicopter crewman Ken Schneider and George Valdez responded to the area to investigate and were also struck with the green laser. As the police aircrew attempted to determine the suspect's exact location, the laser continually struck them. The aircrew pinpointed the suspect's location and requested ground officers to investigate. Officers recovered the laser at the scene and booked two suspects for discharging a laser at an aircraft.
Robots, unmanned aircraft and watercraft were among the pilotless, driverless vehicles on display last month at the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) annual conference in Las Vegas.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently issued a safety alert to warn pilots using in-cockpit satellite weather display systems that the NEXRAD "age-indicator" can be misleading. The actual NEXRAD data can be as much as 20 minutes older than the age indication on the display in the cockpit. If misinterpreted, this difference in time can present potentially serious safety hazards to aircraft operating in the vicinity of fast-moving and quickly developing weather systems.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Manitoba has added two unmanned aerial systems (UASs) to their arsenal to assist with investigations. The UASs will be used for aerial photography of motor vehicle collision scenes and crime scenes. RCMP will also use the UASs for search and rescue purposes, major event planning, environmental disaster response, suspicious object identification, and underwater recovery in clear shallow water.
of about $1 million will fully outfit the Austin Police Department's helicopter.
Three law enforcement organizations adopted guidelines recently released by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) for the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA), the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI–LEEDA) and the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA) last month endorsed the guidelines, which provide law enforcement agencies an outline of how to use UAS safely and responsibly, and with respect to individuals' privacy. Earlier this year, the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) released its own "Code of Conduct" for those who design, test and operate UAS.
The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) acting administrator, Michael P. Huerta, said last month that the agency is poised to "realign" itself to prepare for the coming explosion of unmanned aerial vehicles. UAVs are now available only to military and law enforcement, but the FAA will begin granting personal and commercial licenses in 2015. It estimates that there could be as many as 30,000 unmanned aircraft flying above the United States by 2020.
A fundraising effort has been launched to help finance Henry 1, a rescue helicopter program, operated by the Sonoma County (CA) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit. Henry 1 provides a variety of unique services, including long line rescue in difficult locations, search and rescue, fire suppression and law enforcement air support during life-threatening and emergency situations.
Fairfax County (VA) Police Department (FCPD) recently took delivery of its second new Bell 429 light-twin law enforcement/EMS helicopter. Police spokeswoman Lucy Caldwell said aviation technology has gone through major changes over the past decade, and the newer helicopter models are safer, more reliable, faster and quieter.
The nominations process for the 2013 Salute to Excellence Awards program is now open, so start thinking now about whom you believe should be honored for their contributions to the international rotorcraft community. For more than 50 years, Helicopter Association International (HAI) has recognized the outstanding achievements and exceptional merits of individuals and organizations through the Salute to Excellence Awards program.
Dallas (TX) Police Department Helicopter Unit's Air One was looking for four burglary suspects last month when a 17-year-old allegedly fired at the aircraft. It is unclear how many shots were fired, but Air One wasn't struck. Police said it managed to keep visual on the four suspects until they were arrested.
A Columbus (OH) Police Department helicopter experienced "catastrophic engine failure" and made an emergency landing last month. Officials said mechanical problems forced the pilot to make an emergency autorotation landing in the middle of an intersection. The incident happened just after takeoff at about 2 a.m.
The Defense Logistic Agency's Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) recently awarded Chief Pilot of the Dale County (AL) Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit Tim McDonald an award for his role in rescuing an 80-year-old Alzheimer's patient last summer. The rescue came after three days of ground searches by law enforcement and K9s. McDonald said the aircraft was able to detect the woman's skirt in an area full of six-foot-tall weeds. After detecting the skirt, McDonald said he was able to help guide authorities to the woman, who had fallen into a creek but was still alive. While McDonald accepted the award, he said he did so on behalf of the entire Air Support Unit.
Next month, the York Regional Police Air Support Unit will host the APSA 2012 Canadian Regional Safety Seminar in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Register now to attend on October 10-12 by clicking here 
