NCJ Number
68871
Date Published
1971
Length
121 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY, ADVANTAGES, IMPLEMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT, AND USES OF MUNICIPAL POLICE HELICOPTER PATROL PROGRAMS ARE REVIEWED.
Abstract
THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT PIONEERED THE USE OF HELICOPTERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN 1948 AND IN THE LAST 5 YEARS, THE NUMBER OF MUNICIPAL HELICOPTER UNITS HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY. HELICOPTERS PROVIDE IMPROVEMENTS IN RESPONSE TIME; THEY CAN PATROL AREAS INACCESSIBLE TO PATROL CARS; AND THEY CAN PROVIDE GREATER VISIBILITY THAN PATROL CARS. HOWEVER, HELICOPTER OPERATIONS CAN BE HAMPERED BY ADVERSE WEATHER AND LIMITED LANDING CAPABILITIES, AND SPECIAL FACILITIES AND PERSONNEL ARE REQUIRED. THE OPERATION OF ONE HELICOPTER MAY COST FROM $75,000 TO WELL OVER $100,000 PER YEAR, AND PILOT TRAINING COURSES REQUIRE FROM $3,000 TO $5,000 PER STUDENT. BESIDES A LANDING AREA CLOSE TO POLICE HEADQUARTERS, BASIC EQUIPMENT ITEMS, SUCH AS A PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM, A SIREN, AND A RADIO ARE NEEDED AND MAY COST UP TO $6,000. FEDERAL FUNDS TO AID HELICOPTER PATROL PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ACT OF 1966 AND THE CRIME CONTROL AND SAFE STREETS ACT OF 1968. FROM A MANAGEMENT POINT OF VIEW, COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OPERATION OF A PATROL SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE UNIT OF A POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR PATROL SERVICES. HELICOPTER UNITS SHOULD MAINTAIN DAILY LOGS, AND THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD COMPILE SUMMARIES OF THE UNITS' OPERATIONS TO DETERMINE THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. A MINIMUM OF THREE PILOTS IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE THE BASIC TWO HELICOPTER PATROL FLEET ON A TWO SHIFT PER DAY, 7 DAY A WEEK BASIS. THE UTILIZATION OF ADDITIONAL OBSERVATION PERSONNEL IS SUGGESTED. THE USES OF HELICOPTER PATROL UNITS INCLUDE TRAFFIC AND INVESTIGATIVE SURVEILLANCE, RESCUE AND EVACUATION, SEARCHING, RIOT AND SPECIAL EVENTS CONTROL, AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY, TRANSPORTATION, AND PROTECTION FOR GROUND OFFICERS. FOOTNOTES, TABLES, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF 51 CITATIONS ARE INCLUDED.