FEB. 2025. Blues Vol 41 No.2

team, it’s the

team, it’s the rapidness of pointto-pointmovement that becomesthe force multiplier. A diver ismore effective and has longerstation time when inserted overheadan incident from a hoveringhelicopter. A dignitary protectionteam is less exposed whentransporting by helicopter versusground, not to mention timesaved. Regardless of the specialtyteam, air support allows for rapidextraction and relocation onthe fly as needed.SPECIAL MISSIONS – Theforce multiplier effect of policingwith helicopters also benefitsother public safety specialmissions like search and rescue,firefighting and casualty evacuation.When the aircraft carriesspecialty equipment, like hoistsor short-haul lines, the odds ofa timely rescue are further enhanced.For the fire mission, it’s typicallya helicopter payload of waterthat is used to rapidly suppressflames that are threatening livesand property. Even the smallestof police helicopters have a measuredability to provide initial attackfirefighting efforts. The sameeye-in-the-sky that providespolice command and control caneasily provide fire command andcontrol. And the same police helicopterthat is used to extract thespecialty team can also be usedfor the critical casualty evacuationmission.OFFICER SAFETY –Hundredsand hundreds of documentedcases illustrate how the presenceof a police helicopter has preventedofficer death or seriousharm. The same aerial perspectiveused to locate criminals alsoplays a crucial role in safeguardingofficers. For instance, a helicoptercrew spotting an armedindividual around a blind cornercan alert approaching officers,potentially preventing an ambush.The examples are numerous.Police helicopters save lives,including at times the lives of lawenforcement.IS IT WORTH THE COST?Enhancing public safety throughactive policing is justified theworld over every day. Any aspectthat force-multiplies the publicsafety effort is also justified.Maybe a better question to ask iswhether the agency is willing toinvest in it? The force-multiplieraspects of police aviation ensurehigh levels of public safety. Helicopterssignificantly amplify theability to protect and safeguardcommunities. That’s why airbornepublic safety is an incredibleforce multiplier.To learn more about policeaviation solutions, visit bell.co/publicsafety.82 The BLUES - FEBRUARY ‘25

Starting Police Aviation?We can help every step of the way.Starting a new police aviation unit can be daunting. With the right partner it doesn’t have to be.Bell has been a proud partner for over 75 years with hundreds of police aviation units around theworld, including new police aviation units yearly. Bell understands that the road to policing’sgreatest force multiplier resource includes a strong focus that goes well beyond the acquisitionof a helicopter. Bell provides full SME consultation to assist agencies in their new start-upendeavors and ultimately deliver higher apprehension rates, greater officer safety and greaterpublic safety as a whole. From reduced cost strategies, to safety concerns, to operationalintegration, Bell stands alone in its unwavering commitment to airborne policing partnerships.Visit bell.co/publicsafety to download our law enforcement aviation case study and to hearfrom our customers.The BLUES - FEBRUARY ‘25 83