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In 1921, the British [[airship]] [[R33 class airship|R33]] was used to help the police with traffic control around horse racing events at [[Epsom]] and [[Ascot racecourse|Ascot]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airshipsonline.com/airships/r33/R33-earlylife.html|title=R33 - G F A A G 1916- 1921 : Early Life|publisher=The Airship Heritage Trust|access-date=June 30, 2012}}</ref>
In 1921, the British [[airship]] [[R33 class airship|R33]] was used to help the police with traffic control around horse racing events at [[Epsom]] and [[Ascot racecourse|Ascot]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airshipsonline.com/airships/r33/R33-earlylife.html|title=R33 - G F A A G 1916- 1921 : Early Life|publisher=The Airship Heritage Trust|access-date=June 30, 2012}}</ref>


A [[Cable Street Mural|large mural]] on the side of St. George's Town Hall in the [[East End of London]] depicting the 1936 [[Battle of Cable Street]] public order incident includes the police [[autogyro]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonmuralpreservationsociety.com/murals/battle-cable-street/ |title=The Battle of Cable Street mural, Shadwell|publisher=London Mural Preservation Society |access-date=2012-04-19}}</ref> that was present during the incident, overhead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mymuseumoflondon.org.uk/blogs/blog/how-the-east-was-won/ |work=The working life of Museum of London|title=How the East was won |author=Museum staff|date=October 4, 2011|publisher=Museum of London|access-date=2012-04-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.libertarian.co.uk/lapubs/histn/histn028.pdf |title=British fascism and the measures taken against it by the British State|page=4|author=David Botsford|publisher=Libertarian Alliance|isbn=1-85637-397-5|year=1998|access-date=2012-04-19}}</ref>
A [[Cable Street Mural|large mural]] on the side of St. George's Town Hall in the [[East End of London]] depicting the 1936 [[Battle of Cable Street]] public order incident includes the police [[autogyro]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://londonmuralpreservationsociety.com/murals/battle-cable-street/ |title=The Battle of Cable Street mural, Shadwell |publisher=London Mural Preservation Society |access-date=2012-04-19 |archive-date=2014-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141124162037/http://londonmuralpreservationsociety.com/murals/battle-cable-street/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> that was present during the incident, overhead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mymuseumoflondon.org.uk/blogs/blog/how-the-east-was-won/|work=The working life of Museum of London|title=How the East was won|author=Museum staff|date=October 4, 2011|publisher=Museum of London|access-date=2012-04-19|archive-date=2012-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805024953/http://www.mymuseumoflondon.org.uk/blogs/blog/how-the-east-was-won/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.libertarian.co.uk/lapubs/histn/histn028.pdf|title=British fascism and the measures taken against it by the British State|page=4|author=David Botsford|publisher=Libertarian Alliance|isbn=1-85637-397-5|year=1998|access-date=2012-04-19|archive-date=2009-10-02|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091002043242/http%3A//www.libertarian.co.uk/lapubs/histn/histn028.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Rotary-wing aircraft==
==Rotary-wing aircraft==
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Police rotary-wing aircraft are sometimes equipped to perform multiple functions, or are designed so that equipment can be changed quickly when required for divergent roles. For example, a rotary-wing aircraft could be used for search-and-rescue, and then as an [[air ambulance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201203261567.html |title=allAfrica.com: Namibia: Air Wing to Cost Police Million |access-date=2012-04-19}}</ref>
Police rotary-wing aircraft are sometimes equipped to perform multiple functions, or are designed so that equipment can be changed quickly when required for divergent roles. For example, a rotary-wing aircraft could be used for search-and-rescue, and then as an [[air ambulance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201203261567.html |title=allAfrica.com: Namibia: Air Wing to Cost Police Million |access-date=2012-04-19}}</ref>


Police forces sometimes use military surplus rotary-wing aircraft, such as the [[UH-1 Iroquois|Bell UH-1 Huey]].<ref name ="rw1 ">{{cite web|url=http://www.airliners.net/photo/Colombia---Police/Bell-UH-1H-Huey/1249607/M/|title=Photo of the UH-1H at the Airliners.net |access-date=2012-04-17}}</ref> Some policing organisations, such as the [[Federal Police (Mexico)|Policía Federal]] in Mexico, acquire new military rotary-wing aircraft such as the [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk]].<ref name ="rw5 ">{{cite web|url=http://www.policeaviationnews.com/Acrobat/AMTCOzSpecial.pdf |title=Police Aviation News February 2011 p7 |access-date=2012-04-17}}</ref> However, most buy civilian rotary-wing aircraft directly from major aircraft companies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.agustawestland.com/news/agustawestland-awarded-contract-maryland-state-police-aviation-command|title=AgustaWestland Awarded Contract by the Maryland State Police Aviation Command|access-date=2012-04-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024091155/http://www.agustawestland.com/news/agustawestland-awarded-contract-maryland-state-police-aviation-command|archive-date=2010-10-24|url-status=dead}}</ref> or lease them from specialty suppliers.<ref name ="rw4 ">{{cite web|url=http://www.ukemergencyaviation.co.uk/Bond-Air-Services.htm |title=UK Emergency Aviation - Aircraft Providers & Maintenance - Bond Air Services |access-date=2012-04-17}}</ref>
Police forces sometimes use military surplus rotary-wing aircraft, such as the [[UH-1 Iroquois|Bell UH-1 Huey]].<ref name ="rw1 ">{{cite web|url=http://www.airliners.net/photo/Colombia---Police/Bell-UH-1H-Huey/1249607/M/|title=Photo of the UH-1H at the Airliners.net |access-date=2012-04-17}}</ref> Some policing organisations, such as the [[Federal Police (Mexico)|Policía Federal]] in Mexico, acquire new military rotary-wing aircraft such as the [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk]].<ref name ="rw5 ">{{cite web|url=http://www.policeaviationnews.com/Acrobat/AMTCOzSpecial.pdf |title=Police Aviation News February 2011 p7 |access-date=2012-04-17}}</ref> However, most buy civilian rotary-wing aircraft directly from major aircraft companies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.agustawestland.com/news/agustawestland-awarded-contract-maryland-state-police-aviation-command|title=AgustaWestland Awarded Contract by the Maryland State Police Aviation Command|access-date=2012-04-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024091155/http://www.agustawestland.com/news/agustawestland-awarded-contract-maryland-state-police-aviation-command|archive-date=2010-10-24|url-status=dead}}</ref> or lease them from specialty suppliers.<ref name ="rw4 ">{{cite web |url=http://www.ukemergencyaviation.co.uk/Bond-Air-Services.htm |title=UK Emergency Aviation - Aircraft Providers & Maintenance - Bond Air Services |access-date=2012-04-17 |archive-date=2013-12-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208082128/http://www.ukemergencyaviation.co.uk/Bond-Air-Services.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>


The use of police helicopters by the [[Los Angeles Police Department]] has been criticized for causing excessive noise and pollution and harming the well-being of community members.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samuelson |first=Arielle |title=The environmental terrorism of police choppers |url=https://heated.world/p/the-environmental-terrorism-of-police |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=heated.world |language=en}}</ref>
The use of police helicopters by the [[Los Angeles Police Department]] has been criticized for causing excessive noise and pollution and harming the well-being of community members.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samuelson |first=Arielle |title=The environmental terrorism of police choppers |url=https://heated.world/p/the-environmental-terrorism-of-police |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=heated.world |language=en}}</ref>
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Some police air units also use fixed-wing aircraft, which allow higher and quieter surveillance,<ref name ="h1 " /> making it less likely that suspects will become aware they are being watched. A few police air units, such as the [[Northern Territory Police]] in Australia, use only fixed-wing aircraft.<ref name ="fw10 ">{{cite web|url=http://www.policeaviationnews.com/Acrobat/AMTCOzSpecial.pdf |title=Police Aviation News February 2011 p2 |access-date=2012-04-17}}</ref><ref name="fw12 ">{{cite web |url=http://www.pilatus-enthusiasts.com.au/NTPolice.html |title=Pilatus Aircraft Enthusiasts - NT Police |access-date=2012-04-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320093227/http://pilatus-enthusiasts.com.au/NTPolice.html |archive-date=2012-03-20 }}</ref> The use of fixed-wing aircraft also allows for longer flying times and incurs lower running costs.<ref name="fw11 ">{{cite web|url=http://www.policeone.com/airborne-maritime/articles/1978321-Airplanes-are-still-a-vital-tool-in-law-enforcement/ |title=Airplanes are still a vital tool in law enforcement |access-date=2012-04-19}}</ref> Fixed-wing aircraft are also used to transport prisoners,<ref name ="h1 " /> with the [[Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System]] (nicknamed "''Con Air''")<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usmarshals.gov/jpats/conair.htm |title=Con Air: America's High-Flying Paddy Wagon |publisher=Usmarshals.gov |date=2004-06-03 |access-date=2012-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207220129/http://www.usmarshals.gov/jpats/conair.htm |archive-date=2012-02-07 }}</ref> perhaps being the largest example of this use. Fixed-wing aircraft are also used to provide regular police patrols in remote communities and to transport investigators to remote crime scenes.<ref name="fw12 " /><ref name="fw11 " /> [[Light-sport aircraft]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/09/california-sheriff-adds-light-sport-airplane-to-fleet/ |title=California Sheriff Adds Light Sport Airplane To Fleet - Autopia - Wired.com |access-date=2012-04-19 | first=Jason |last=Paur |date=2011-09-08}}</ref> and [[powered parachute]]s<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.riponpd.org/Units/SubPage/Powered-Parachute.html |title=Powered Parachute |publisher=Riponpd.org |access-date=2012-04-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729002647/http://www.riponpd.org/Units/SubPage/Powered-Parachute.html |archive-date=2012-07-29 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/story?id=7492914&page=1#.T5IE6zSwe3E |title=Paragliders Give Cops an Eye in the Sky |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |access-date=2012-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.wdbj7.com/2011-10-10/parachute_30265406 |title=Powered Parachute takes crime-fighting to new heights |access-date=2012-04-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117224440/http://articles.wdbj7.com/2011-10-10/parachute_30265406 |archive-date=2012-01-17 }}</ref> can sometimes be used to provide a cost-effective replacement for helicopters in the observation platform role.
Some police air units also use fixed-wing aircraft, which allow higher and quieter surveillance,<ref name ="h1 " /> making it less likely that suspects will become aware they are being watched. A few police air units, such as the [[Northern Territory Police]] in Australia, use only fixed-wing aircraft.<ref name ="fw10 ">{{cite web|url=http://www.policeaviationnews.com/Acrobat/AMTCOzSpecial.pdf |title=Police Aviation News February 2011 p2 |access-date=2012-04-17}}</ref><ref name="fw12 ">{{cite web |url=http://www.pilatus-enthusiasts.com.au/NTPolice.html |title=Pilatus Aircraft Enthusiasts - NT Police |access-date=2012-04-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320093227/http://pilatus-enthusiasts.com.au/NTPolice.html |archive-date=2012-03-20 }}</ref> The use of fixed-wing aircraft also allows for longer flying times and incurs lower running costs.<ref name="fw11 ">{{cite web|url=http://www.policeone.com/airborne-maritime/articles/1978321-Airplanes-are-still-a-vital-tool-in-law-enforcement/ |title=Airplanes are still a vital tool in law enforcement |access-date=2012-04-19}}</ref> Fixed-wing aircraft are also used to transport prisoners,<ref name ="h1 " /> with the [[Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System]] (nicknamed "''Con Air''")<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usmarshals.gov/jpats/conair.htm |title=Con Air: America's High-Flying Paddy Wagon |publisher=Usmarshals.gov |date=2004-06-03 |access-date=2012-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207220129/http://www.usmarshals.gov/jpats/conair.htm |archive-date=2012-02-07 }}</ref> perhaps being the largest example of this use. Fixed-wing aircraft are also used to provide regular police patrols in remote communities and to transport investigators to remote crime scenes.<ref name="fw12 " /><ref name="fw11 " /> [[Light-sport aircraft]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/09/california-sheriff-adds-light-sport-airplane-to-fleet/ |title=California Sheriff Adds Light Sport Airplane To Fleet - Autopia - Wired.com |access-date=2012-04-19 | first=Jason |last=Paur |date=2011-09-08}}</ref> and [[powered parachute]]s<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.riponpd.org/Units/SubPage/Powered-Parachute.html |title=Powered Parachute |publisher=Riponpd.org |access-date=2012-04-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729002647/http://www.riponpd.org/Units/SubPage/Powered-Parachute.html |archive-date=2012-07-29 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/story?id=7492914&page=1#.T5IE6zSwe3E |title=Paragliders Give Cops an Eye in the Sky |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |access-date=2012-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.wdbj7.com/2011-10-10/parachute_30265406 |title=Powered Parachute takes crime-fighting to new heights |access-date=2012-04-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117224440/http://articles.wdbj7.com/2011-10-10/parachute_30265406 |archive-date=2012-01-17 }}</ref> can sometimes be used to provide a cost-effective replacement for helicopters in the observation platform role.


The [[Edgley Optica]] was a British fixed-wing aircraft built for observation use and was used by the [[Hampshire Constabulary]]<ref name="fw9 ">{{cite magazine |date=30 August 1986 |title= No cause found for Optica crash|magazine=[[Flight International]] |page=54 | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1986/1986%20-%202116.html|access-date=2012-04-16 }}</ref> as an alternative to rotary-wing aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/daedalus/Police.html |title=About the Hampshire Police Air Support Unit at Lee on Solent |access-date=2012-04-20 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329044448/http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Daedalus/Police.html |archive-date=2012-03-29 }}</ref> The [[Britten-Norman Defender]] is used by the [[Greater Manchester Police]],<ref name="fw1 ">{{cite web|url=http://www.ukemergencyaviation.co.uk/policehelicopteram.htm |title=UK Emergency Aviation - UK & Ireland Police Helicopter Operations A-M |access-date=2012-04-16}}</ref> the [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]]<ref name="fw2 ">{{cite web|url=http://www.ukemergencyaviation.co.uk/policehelicopternz.htm |title=UK Emergency Aviation - UK & Ireland Police Helicopter Operations N-Z |access-date=2012-04-16}}</ref> and the [[Garda Síochána]].<ref name="fw1 "/> The [[FBI]] deployed one Britten-Norman Defender for electronic aerial surveillance at the [[Branch Davidian]] compound during the [[Waco siege]] in 1993.<ref>''FBI brings out secret electronics weapons as Waco siege drags on'', by James Adams. [[The Sunday Times]], p. 23, 21 March 1993</ref> In [[Greater London]], the [[Metropolitan Police Service]] has, for a number of years, reportedly been secretly using [[Cessna]] aircraft that have been fitted with surveillance equipment capable of intercepting mobile telephone calls and listening in on conversations.<ref name="fw4 ">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8857517/Met-Police-spends-millions-of-pounds-on-secret-aircraft.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030112456/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8857517/Met-Police-spends-millions-of-pounds-on-secret-aircraft.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-10-30 |title=Met Police spends millions of pounds on secret aircraft |access-date=2012-04-17 | work=The Daily Telegraph |first1=Jason |last1=Lewis |first2=Andy |last2=Blackmore |date=2011-10-29 |location=London}}</ref>
The [[Edgley Optica]] was a British fixed-wing aircraft built for observation use and was used by the [[Hampshire Constabulary]]<ref name="fw9 ">{{cite magazine |date=30 August 1986 |title= No cause found for Optica crash|magazine=[[Flight International]] |page=54 | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1986/1986%20-%202116.html|access-date=2012-04-16 }}</ref> as an alternative to rotary-wing aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/daedalus/Police.html |title=About the Hampshire Police Air Support Unit at Lee on Solent |access-date=2012-04-20 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329044448/http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Daedalus/Police.html |archive-date=2012-03-29 }}</ref> The [[Britten-Norman Defender]] is used by the [[Greater Manchester Police]],<ref name="fw1 ">{{cite web |url=http://www.ukemergencyaviation.co.uk/policehelicopteram.htm |title=UK Emergency Aviation - UK & Ireland Police Helicopter Operations A-M |access-date=2012-04-16 |archive-date=2018-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702025856/http://www.ukemergencyaviation.co.uk/policehelicopteram.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> the [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]]<ref name="fw2 ">{{cite web |url=http://www.ukemergencyaviation.co.uk/policehelicopternz.htm |title=UK Emergency Aviation - UK & Ireland Police Helicopter Operations N-Z |access-date=2012-04-16 |archive-date=2012-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401041918/http://www.ukemergencyaviation.co.uk/policehelicopternz.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the [[Garda Síochána]].<ref name="fw1 "/> The [[FBI]] deployed one Britten-Norman Defender for electronic aerial surveillance at the [[Branch Davidian]] compound during the [[Waco siege]] in 1993.<ref>''FBI brings out secret electronics weapons as Waco siege drags on'', by James Adams. [[The Sunday Times]], p. 23, 21 March 1993</ref> In [[Greater London]], the [[Metropolitan Police Service]] has, for a number of years, reportedly been secretly using [[Cessna]] aircraft that have been fitted with surveillance equipment capable of intercepting mobile telephone calls and listening in on conversations.<ref name="fw4 ">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8857517/Met-Police-spends-millions-of-pounds-on-secret-aircraft.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030112456/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8857517/Met-Police-spends-millions-of-pounds-on-secret-aircraft.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-10-30 |title=Met Police spends millions of pounds on secret aircraft |access-date=2012-04-17 | work=The Daily Telegraph |first1=Jason |last1=Lewis |first2=Andy |last2=Blackmore |date=2011-10-29 |location=London}}</ref>


==Lighter-than-air aircraft==
==Lighter-than-air aircraft==
[[File:RNC 2004 police airship.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Airship Industries Skyship 600|Skyship 600]] used for observation by the [[NYPD]] during the [[2004 Republican National Convention|RNC]] in 2004]]
[[File:RNC 2004 police airship.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Airship Industries Skyship 600|Skyship 600]] used for observation by the [[NYPD]] during the [[2004 Republican National Convention|RNC]] in 2004]]


Police [[blimp]]s were used to patrol the sky during the [[2004 Republican National Convention]],<ref name="ltw1 ">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/25/nypd.fujiblimp/index.html |title=Authorities are planning to employ a corporate blimp as an alternative intelligence gathering tool during next week's Republican National Convention in New York City |access-date=2012-04-16 |work=CNN |date=2004-08-30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811110729/http://articles.cnn.com/2004-08-25/politics/nypd.fujiblimp_1_blimp-law-enforcement-convention-coverage?_s=PM:ALLPOLITICS |archive-date=2011-08-11 }}</ref> the [[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Atlanta Olympic Games]] and the [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Athens Olympic Games]].<ref>{{citation | last = Lowry | first = N | contribution = Benign eye in the sky | pages = 29–33 | title = Lloyd's List Magazine | date = June 2004}}</ref> The blimp ''Santos-Dumont'', named for [[Alberto Santos-Dumont]], operates in the Caribbean for the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad & Tobago (SAUTT), providing security surveillance. During April 2009, this blimp provided aerial surveillance of the [[5th Summit of the Americas]] in [[Port-of-Spain]].<ref>{{citation | last = Chamoff | first = L | contribution = Greenwich Firm's Blimp to Keep Eye on Summit in Trinidad | title = Stamford Advocate / Greenwich Time | date = April 17, 2009}}</ref> Greater Manchester Police began trial operations of a blimp in 2010 to provide surveillance for major events, which would be a cheaper alternative to the use of a helicopter in the long term. However, the blimp was only used on 18 occasions because of weather-related operational problems.<ref>{{Cite news |title=GMP's £80,000 police spy blimp is grounded - by the Manchester weather |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1370943_gmps_80000_police_spy_blimp_is_grounded__by_the_manchester_weather |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=11 November 2010}}</ref>
Police [[blimp]]s were used to patrol the sky during the [[2004 Republican National Convention]],<ref name="ltw1 ">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/25/nypd.fujiblimp/index.html |title=Authorities are planning to employ a corporate blimp as an alternative intelligence gathering tool during next week's Republican National Convention in New York City |access-date=2012-04-16 |work=CNN |date=2004-08-30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811110729/http://articles.cnn.com/2004-08-25/politics/nypd.fujiblimp_1_blimp-law-enforcement-convention-coverage?_s=PM:ALLPOLITICS |archive-date=2011-08-11 }}</ref> the [[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Atlanta Olympic Games]] and the [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Athens Olympic Games]].<ref>{{citation | last = Lowry | first = N | contribution = Benign eye in the sky | pages = 29–33 | title = Lloyd's List Magazine | date = June 2004}}</ref> The blimp ''Santos-Dumont'', named for [[Alberto Santos-Dumont]], operates in the Caribbean for the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad & Tobago (SAUTT), providing security surveillance. During April 2009, this blimp provided aerial surveillance of the [[5th Summit of the Americas]] in [[Port-of-Spain]].<ref>{{citation | last = Chamoff | first = L | contribution = Greenwich Firm's Blimp to Keep Eye on Summit in Trinidad | title = Stamford Advocate / Greenwich Time | date = April 17, 2009}}</ref> Greater Manchester Police began trial operations of a blimp in 2010 to provide surveillance for major events, which would be a cheaper alternative to the use of a helicopter in the long term. However, the blimp was only used on 18 occasions because of weather-related operational problems.<ref>{{Cite news |title=GMP's £80,000 police spy blimp is grounded - by the Manchester weather |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1370943_gmps_80000_police_spy_blimp_is_grounded__by_the_manchester_weather |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=11 November 2010 |access-date=20 April 2012 |archive-date=12 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112200402/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1370943_gmps_80000_police_spy_blimp_is_grounded__by_the_manchester_weather |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Unmanned aerial vehicles==
==Unmanned aerial vehicles==
{{main|Use of UAVs in law enforcement}}
{{main|Use of UAVs in law enforcement}}
Police in some areas have started using [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s, or drones, for surveillance operations.<ref name="fw5 ">{{cite web|url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/New-Police-Drone-Near-Houston-Could-Carry-Weapons/-/1735978/4717922/-/59xnnez/-/index.html |title=New Police Drone Near Houston Could Carry Weapons |access-date=2012-04-17}}</ref><ref name="fw7 ">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-dec-10-la-na-drone-arrest-20111211-story.html |title=Police employ Predator drone spy planes on home front |access-date=2012-04-17 | work=Los Angeles Times |first=Brian |last=Bennett |date=2011-12-10}}</ref> Unmanned aerial vehicles come in both fixed-wing and rotary-wing types.
Police in some areas have started using [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s, or drones, for surveillance operations.<ref name="fw5 ">{{cite web |url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/New-Police-Drone-Near-Houston-Could-Carry-Weapons/-/1735978/4717922/-/59xnnez/-/index.html |title=New Police Drone Near Houston Could Carry Weapons |access-date=2012-04-17 |archive-date=2013-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230161925/http://www.click2houston.com/news/New-Police-Drone-Near-Houston-Could-Carry-Weapons/-/1735978/4717922/-/59xnnez/-/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="fw7 ">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-dec-10-la-na-drone-arrest-20111211-story.html |title=Police employ Predator drone spy planes on home front |access-date=2012-04-17 | work=Los Angeles Times |first=Brian |last=Bennett |date=2011-12-10}}</ref> Unmanned aerial vehicles come in both fixed-wing and rotary-wing types.


== List of police aviation units ==
== List of police aviation units ==
Line 294: Line 294:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/len/96/31dec/html/20.html Atlanta’s bombing fallout (Law Enforcement News)]
* [http://www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/len/96/31dec/html/20.html Atlanta’s bombing fallout (Law Enforcement News)]{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS126122 Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies] [[Bureau of Justice Statistics]]
* [http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS126122 Aviation Units in Large Law Enforcement Agencies] [[Bureau of Justice Statistics]]
* [http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/25/nypd.fujiblimp/ Blimp to provide convention coverage for police (CNN)]
* [http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/25/nypd.fujiblimp/ Blimp to provide convention coverage for police (CNN)]

Latest revision as of 06:36, 5 December 2024

Swedish police with a Bell 429
A Eurocopter AS365 N3 Dauphin 2 of the Victoria Police Air Wing.

Police aviation is the use of aircraft in police operations. Police services commonly use aircraft for traffic control, ground support, search and rescue, high-speed car pursuits, observation, air patrol and control of large-scale public events and/or public order incidents. They may employ rotary-wing aircraft, fixed-wing aircraft, nonrigid-wing aircraft or lighter-than-air aircraft. In some major cities, police rotary-wing aircraft are also used as air transportation for personnel belonging to SWAT-style units. In large, sparsely populated areas, fixed-wing aircraft are sometimes used to transport personnel and equipment.

An EC135 P2+ operated by the Surf Life Saving Queensland Aviation for the Queensland Police Service

Uganda Police Airwing - Jinja Airfield Piaggio Avanti P180 EVO Augusta 109 Sokol W3A Bell 206L

History

[edit]

The first police aviation department was established in New York City.[1] Fixed-wing aircraft have generally been replaced by more versatile rotary-wing aircraft since the late 1940s. However, fixed-wing aircraft are still used in some missions, such as border patrol, as their higher speed and greater operating altitude allow larger areas to be covered.[1]

In 1921, the British airship R33 was used to help the police with traffic control around horse racing events at Epsom and Ascot.[2]

A large mural on the side of St. George's Town Hall in the East End of London depicting the 1936 Battle of Cable Street public order incident includes the police autogyro,[3] that was present during the incident, overhead.[4][5]

Rotary-wing aircraft

[edit]
A Groen Hawk 4 of the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command

The most common form of police rotary-wing aircraft is the helicopter, but other types of rotary-wing aircraft such as autogyros are also used.[6][7][8] The Groen Hawk 4 autogyro was used during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.[9]

Police rotary-wing aircraft are sometimes equipped to perform multiple functions, or are designed so that equipment can be changed quickly when required for divergent roles. For example, a rotary-wing aircraft could be used for search-and-rescue, and then as an air ambulance.[10]

Police forces sometimes use military surplus rotary-wing aircraft, such as the Bell UH-1 Huey.[11] Some policing organisations, such as the Policía Federal in Mexico, acquire new military rotary-wing aircraft such as the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.[12] However, most buy civilian rotary-wing aircraft directly from major aircraft companies[13] or lease them from specialty suppliers.[14]

The use of police helicopters by the Los Angeles Police Department has been criticized for causing excessive noise and pollution and harming the well-being of community members.[15]

Fixed-wing and nonrigid-wing aircraft

[edit]
A U.S. Marshal on a "JPATS" flight.

Some police air units also use fixed-wing aircraft, which allow higher and quieter surveillance,[1] making it less likely that suspects will become aware they are being watched. A few police air units, such as the Northern Territory Police in Australia, use only fixed-wing aircraft.[16][17] The use of fixed-wing aircraft also allows for longer flying times and incurs lower running costs.[18] Fixed-wing aircraft are also used to transport prisoners,[1] with the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (nicknamed "Con Air")[19] perhaps being the largest example of this use. Fixed-wing aircraft are also used to provide regular police patrols in remote communities and to transport investigators to remote crime scenes.[17][18] Light-sport aircraft[20] and powered parachutes[21][22][23] can sometimes be used to provide a cost-effective replacement for helicopters in the observation platform role.

The Edgley Optica was a British fixed-wing aircraft built for observation use and was used by the Hampshire Constabulary[24] as an alternative to rotary-wing aircraft.[25] The Britten-Norman Defender is used by the Greater Manchester Police,[26] the Police Service of Northern Ireland[27] and the Garda Síochána.[26] The FBI deployed one Britten-Norman Defender for electronic aerial surveillance at the Branch Davidian compound during the Waco siege in 1993.[28] In Greater London, the Metropolitan Police Service has, for a number of years, reportedly been secretly using Cessna aircraft that have been fitted with surveillance equipment capable of intercepting mobile telephone calls and listening in on conversations.[29]

Lighter-than-air aircraft

[edit]
A Skyship 600 used for observation by the NYPD during the RNC in 2004

Police blimps were used to patrol the sky during the 2004 Republican National Convention,[30] the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.[31] The blimp Santos-Dumont, named for Alberto Santos-Dumont, operates in the Caribbean for the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad & Tobago (SAUTT), providing security surveillance. During April 2009, this blimp provided aerial surveillance of the 5th Summit of the Americas in Port-of-Spain.[32] Greater Manchester Police began trial operations of a blimp in 2010 to provide surveillance for major events, which would be a cheaper alternative to the use of a helicopter in the long term. However, the blimp was only used on 18 occasions because of weather-related operational problems.[33]

Unmanned aerial vehicles

[edit]

Police in some areas have started using unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, for surveillance operations.[34][35] Unmanned aerial vehicles come in both fixed-wing and rotary-wing types.

List of police aviation units

[edit]
 Australia
An EC 135 of the German Federal Police
 Austria
 Cyprus
 Hong Kong
 Indonesia
 Iran
 Ireland
 Malaysia
 Mexico
An MBB Bo 105 of Spain's Cuerpo Nacional de Policía
 Netherlands
 North Macedonia
 Oman
 Panama
 Philippines
 Romania
 Serbia
 South Africa
 Taiwan
 United Kingdom

United States

[edit]

Many local, state, and federal US law enforcement agencies operate helicopters, and some operate fixed-wing aircraft.

Federal agencies
Arizona
California
An LAPD Bell 206 Jetranger
Colorado
Connecticut
  • Connecticut State Police Emergency Services Unit - Aviation Section
  • New Milford Police Aviation Unit[46]
Delaware
  • Delaware State Police Aviation Section[47]
District of Columbia
Florida
  • Alachua County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Collier County Sheriff's Office Aviation
  • Bay County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Brevard County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Broward County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Citrus County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Collier County Sheriff's Office Aviation Bureau
  • Escambia Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Florida Highway Patrol Aviation Unit
  • Hernando County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Aviation Section
  • Indian River County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Lake County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Lakeland Police Department Aviation Unit
  • Lee County Sheriff's Office Aviation
  • Leon County Sheriff's Office Aviation Section
  • Manatee County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Marion County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit - at least four helicopters[49]
  • Martin County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Miami Police Department Aviaton Unit
  • Miami-Dade Police Department Air Support Unit
  • Monroe County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Orange County Sheriff's Office Aviation Section
  • Osceola County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Pasco County Sheriff's Office Aviation Section
  • Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Flight Unit
  • Polk County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Air Unit
  • Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Seminole County Sheriff's Office Aviation
  • St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Sumter County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Tampa Police Department Aviation
  • Volusia County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit "Air One"
  • West Palm Beach Police Department Air Support Unit
Maine
  • Maine Forest Service Forest Protection Aviation Branch[50] - 2 Bell 407 helicopters, 5 UH-1H (Huey) helicopters, and 3 fixed-wing aircraft
  • Maine Marine Patrol[51] - 1 Kodiak 100 fixed-wing aircraft[52]
  • Maine State Police Air Wing[53] - 2 Cessna 183 fixed-wing aircraft
  • Maine Warden Service Aviation Division[54] - 3 fixed-wing aircraft
Maryland
Massachusetts
  • Massachusetts State Police Air Wing[59]
Nevada
New Hampshire
  • New Hampshire State Police Special Enforcement Unit (SEU)[61]
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
South Carolina
  • Anderson County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Greenville County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
  • Richland County Aviation
  • Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
South Dakota
Tennessee
  • Jackson Police Department Aviation Unit
  • Memphis Police Department Air Support Unit
  • Metro Nashville Aviation Section
  • Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations
Texas
  • Austin Police Department Air Enforcement Unit
  • Bell County Regional Air Support Unit
  • Dallas Police Department Helicopter Unit
  • El Paso Police Department Aviation Unit
  • Fort Worth Police Air Support Unit
  • Houston Police Department Helicopter Patrol Unit
  • San Antonio Police Helicopter Detail
  • Texas Department of Public Safety Aircraft Section
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin

Disbanded police aviation units

[edit]
 United Kingdom
 United States

Border guards and customs services

[edit]
 Estonia
 Italy
 United States

Maritime law enforcement agencies

[edit]
A Piaggio P-180 of the Guardia Costiera
 Iceland
 Italy
 United States

Uganda Police Airwing Piaggio Avanti Evo P180 Sokol W3A Augusta 109SP Bell 206L

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Lt. Kenneth J. Solosky (January 3, 2003). "Fixed Wing Aircraft in Law Enforcement". Lawofficer.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved 2012-04-17.
  2. ^ "R33 - G F A A G 1916- 1921 : Early Life". The Airship Heritage Trust. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  3. ^ "The Battle of Cable Street mural, Shadwell". London Mural Preservation Society. Archived from the original on 2014-11-24. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  4. ^ Museum staff (October 4, 2011). "How the East was won". The working life of Museum of London. Museum of London. Archived from the original on 2012-08-05. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  5. ^ David Botsford (1998). British fascism and the measures taken against it by the British State (PDF). Libertarian Alliance. p. 4. ISBN 1-85637-397-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-10-02. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
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  10. ^ "allAfrica.com: Namibia: Air Wing to Cost Police Million". Retrieved 2012-04-19.
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[edit]