Officers Predict Ground-to-Sky In Four Minutes
The Redlands, CA Police Department has purchased a 1967 Cessna
172H to help launch its new air support program. The department is
currently conducting background checks and interview processes for
pilots including about 20 officers and department personnel who
have applied for the job.
Once hired, an applicant must go through six months of initial
training. Pilot and observer training are projected to begin within
the next two to three weeks.
Police Chief Jim Bueermann said the department paid about
$60,000 for the aircraft (type shown above,) which is being stored
at Redlands Municipal Airport. It has been modified so pilots can
fly slowly while observers keep an eye out for such activity as
high-speed pursuits, fleeing criminals and missing persons.
Bueermann won the City Council's approval for the aviation
program in March, by promoting the plane as a way to shorten
response times and stretch scarce dollars, according to the
Redlands Daily Facts.
Bueermann furthered his case by telling council members how
aerial program could help police on the ground do their jobs more
effectively, as Redlands can't afford to hire new police officers.
A police observer can get a bird's-eye view of a fleeing suspect
and transmit information to patrol officers on the ground.
Sgt. Shawn Ryan has been tapped to lead the department's Air
Support Unit. He said he expects it will take about four minutes to
get the plane in the air once a request for air support has been
made.
Once in the air, a pilot can fly from one end of the Redlands to
the other in about 90 seconds.
"I have a feeling we'll be on
the scene first for most of the calls," Ryan said.
The aviation program's 18-month projected start-up cost is
expected to be $185,000. This will be financed by seized drug
money, car-impound fines and donations. General Fund dollars would
not be spent on the aircraft because of the city's financial
issues, Bueermann said.
A helicopter program was ruled out because of higher costs.
The Palm Springs, CA, Police Department also uses a fixed-wing
aircraft for its aerial operations. Sgt. Mitch Spike said a
fixed-wing aircraft is effective in search operations such as for a
missing child.
According to Spike, one officer aboard a circling airplane can
be as effective at finding a person as about 20 ground officers who
have surrounded an area around a suspect.
Another fixed-wing bonus: officers doing surveillance may be
less likely to be spotted and identified by their targets since
helicopters are often recognized as law-enforcement vehicles.
Aircraft have definite advantages in law enforcement
applications, the officers say. And if a helicopter's too
expensive, go for the airplane, said Spike.
"It beats not having anything," Spike said.