# Polair Queensland

Polair Queensland is the name of the aviation department within the Queensland Police Service (QPS), operating officially under the umbrella of the Aviation Capability Group. Its predecessor was called the Police Air Wing, which became operational in 1975 following the purchase of two single-engine aircraft.
The QPS operates a number of fixed wing, rotary and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assets spread across various locations around the State.
The majority of aircraft of the fleet are kept from public view on most publicly accessible flight tracking apps and websites. This is to preserve investigations, ensure the safety of the crew and aircraft, allow for covert operations, and to prevent suspects from viewing locations of the aircraft.

## History

The Police Air Wing was established with the purchase of two Cessna 180E aircraft. Four police officers and qualified pilots were attached to the Wing.
The fixed wing fleet grew, ferrying officers and prisoners across the State, with aircraft based in Brisbane, Cairns, Mount Isa, and Horn Island.
In November 2011, a police helicopter 'Polair' was commenced as a trial, funded by the Gold Coast City Council. 'Polair 2' based in Archerfield, Brisbane, commenced in 2012 on trial, before permanent funding commenced in July 2014, and Townsville's Polair launched on 16 January 2024. The helicopters included a Eurocopter BO 105 Super Five, before the fleet was updated with Bell 429 helicopters in February 2022.
The new Commissioner in April 2024 immediately embarked on a coastal provincial tour with Police Minister Ryan and Premier Miles, which saw the announcements of forthcoming funding for Polair in Cairns, and the Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay.

## Fixed wing

The Service operates a varying fleet of aircraft, both single and twin engine, for numerous tasks such as: organ retrievals, Special Emergency Response Team and tactical operator response, prisoner transport, disaster response, aerial surveillance, search and rescue, transporting police officers and senior leaders, transporting state government ministers and other politicians, and transporting freight.
Not all the aircraft feature the QPS Polair livery and identifications which suggest they are police aircraft.
| Bases | Aircraft Type | Number in fleet |
| Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville | King Air 360 | 5 |
| Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville | King Air 350 | 1 |
| Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville | Cessna 208 Caravan | 3 |

## Surveillance and patrol helicopters

The surveillance and patrol fleet is the most commonly seen Polair aircraft, these aircraft being adorned in distinct police livery. The aircraft are operated by contractors on behalf of the Service.
A Bell 429 flight simulator is located at the SLSQ helicopter base at Archerfield Airport, it is used by crew for training purposes.
The aircraft are fitted with high end infrared electro optical cameras, a spotlight, blue and red emergency lights, public address speakers, video downlink, secure radios, and basic rescue/first aid equipment.
All the aircraft in the fleet are twin engine only, as this is a crucial safety feature for flying over populated areas.
| Region | Areas served | Operator | Aircraft type | Base | Notes |
| Far Northern | Cairns | Meridian Helicopters | Airbus H135 | Townsville Airport | To be replaced by 3 x Bell 429's |
| Northern | Townsville | Meridian Helicopters | Airbus H135 | Townsville Airport | To be replaced by 3 x Bell 429's |
| North Coast | Wide Bay/Sunshine Coast | Surf Life Saving Queensland | Airbus H135 | Caloundra Aerodrome | |
| Southern and Brisbane | Brisbane, Ipswich, Darling Downs, Logan, Moreton Bay | Surf Life Saving Queensland | Bell 429 | Archerfield Airport | |
| Southern and Brisbane | Brisbane, Ipswich, Darling Downs, Logan, Moreton Bay | Surf Life Saving Queensland | Bell 429 | Archerfield Airport | |
| Southern and Brisbane | Gold Coast | Surf Life Saving Queensland | Bell 429 | Carrara SLSQ Heli Base | |

## Rescue and emergency medical helicopters

Formerly managed by the now-defunct Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ), the fleet is now managed by the QPS Aviation Capability Group. The EMQ helicopters are most commonly referred to as QGAir Rescue, whose primary responsibility is responding to Queensland Ambulance and Queensland Health jobs, conducting search and rescue, disaster response, and occasionally assisting QPS with incidents such as vehicle pursuits, searches, sieges and other emergency situations.
The helicopters have saved thousands of lives through emergency medical responses with the onboard doctors supplied by Lifeflight and paramedics, responding to emergency scenes across Queensland and New South Wales, as well as offshore.
The fleet of five helicopters fly more than 3,000 flight hours per year, and an average 2,000 patient rescues and transfers each year.
| Area | Aircraft type | Base | Notes |
| North and Central Queensland | 5 x AW139 | Cairns Airport | 3 x AW139 to replace older aircraft |
| North and Central Queensland | 5 x AW139 | Townsville Airport | 3 x AW139 to replace older aircraft |
| Southern Queensland and northern NSW | 5 x AW139 | Archerfield Airport | 3 x AW139 to replace older aircraft |

## Remotely piloted aircraft systems

The aviation wing also overviews the use of Remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), under the control of the Service Chief Pilot (RPAS). All operators follow the Service's Operational Procedures Manual policies which includes holding Civil Aviation Safety Authority certification.

## Previous aircraft

* Raytheon 1900D
* Bell 412 (QG Air Rescue)
* Cessna 550 Citation II
* Cessna 560 Citation
* MBB Bo 105
* Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander
* Beech B300 Super King Air
* Bell 206 Long Ranger
* Cessna 180E
* Cessna 402B
* Cessna 421C
* Cessna 441