Engaging in a more complete assessment of the operations of airborne police units: a research note

Abstract

Though law enforcement agencies in the USA have been utilizing fixed-wing planes and helicopters to enhance their capabilities for over 80 years, no studies to date have examined the full range of functions served by police aviation units. Particularly during challenging economic times when many departments are forced to make difficult budget cuts, a complete assessment of the utility of aviation and other special units can better inform the budgetary decisions of law enforcement agencies and city administrators. Using data from a recent Bureau of Justice Statistics study of aviation units, this article begins to provide a more complete picture of the number and types of operations performed by aviation units during the course of a year.

Keywords:

• law enforcement aviation units
• airborne policing
• police aircraft
• police helicopters
• special police units
• police operations

Notes

The views and interpretations offered in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the views or position of the US Department of Justice.

1. The Montgomery County, Maryland Police Department, for example, faced resistance to the proposal to institute a police helicopter program because the city council did not feel the cost of operating the helicopters was justified. See Suderman, Alan. 17 July 2009. Montgomery county cops want copters, but council says No. The Washington Examiner.

2. Throughout the article, ‘large’ is used to refer to departments with 100 or more sworn officers unless otherwise noted.