Highlights Advancements in helicopters and onboard auxiliary equipment have improved the ability of police departments to fight crime and maintain public safety.
Helicopters assist police activities by providing support and a presence in the air.
They serve an important part in the advancement of law enforcement strategies and tactics. Remain in close proximity to the suspect while tracking the location and direction without being noticed, enabling officers on the ground to take action once the suspect has stopped or exited the vehicle. Assist with a call involving an officer in trouble by providing directions and if necessary a show of force. The versatility, range, and vantage point of the helicopter allows ground officers to conduct pursuits more successfully, decreasing the use of high-speed pursuits and increasing apprehension rates. While existing information on the uses, costs, and effectiveness of helicopters in police operations generally indicates that the helicopter can play a valuable role, there has been no research that examined the uses and productivity of the helicopter in pursuit operations.