Law enforcement agencies usually select helicopters for their airborne unit with the mission in mind—lighter, single-engine craft work well for patrol and surveillance, while larger-capacity, twin-engine craft are better suited for search-and-rescue operations. View our gallery of several of the more commonly deployed police helicopters.
Police Helicopters
The Orange County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office uses Bell's four-blade, single-engine 407 LongRanger that was based on its 206L. The helicopter arrives with a larger cabin offering standard seating for two crew members and five cabin seats.
Law enforcement helicopter pilots complete emergency operations training that includes autorotation drills where the aircraft must be maneuvered without engine power using the action of the air moving through the rotors.
American Eurocopter's AS350, with a 360-nautical-mile range, is offered in the B2, more powerful B3 (140 knots), and AStar (pictured) configurations. The craft is ideal for more demanding missions; it accomodates four people plus medical equipment. The California Highway Patrol, LAPD, and Phoenix PD are among the agencies using these craft.
The Dallas Police Department uses Bell Helicopter's two-bladed, single-engine 206 JetRanger, which is based on the company's OH-58 Kiowa offered to the U.S. military.
The NYPD uses Bell's 412 four-blade copter for mutual aid, including search-and-rescue missions. A variety of rescue harnesses or a Bambi basket can be added. The 412 was produced initially in SP (Special Performance), then HP (High Performance) and finally EP (Enhanced Performance) configurations. The current 412EP arrives with a dual digital automatic flight control system.
The Long Beach (Calif.) Police Department uses Robinson's R44 Raven, a smaller craft ideally suited for patrol missions and surveillance. The craft is available with IFR Trainer only, and designed to train VFR (visual flight rules) operators on instrument flight.
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department uses a SH-3H Sikorsky acquired from the feds as military surplus for search-and-rescue operations. The helicopter was used to transport Michael Jackson during the pop singer's memorial.