Officers Predict Ground-to-Sky In Four Minutes

The Redlands, CA Police Department has purchased a 1967 Cessna 172H to help launch its new air support program. The department is currently conducting background checks and interview processes for pilots including about 20 officers and department personnel who have applied for the job.

Once hired, an applicant must go through six months of initial training. Pilot and observer training are projected to begin within the next two to three weeks.

Police Chief Jim Bueermann said the department paid about $60,000 for the aircraft (type shown above,) which is being stored at Redlands Municipal Airport. It has been modified so pilots can fly slowly while observers keep an eye out for such activity as high-speed pursuits, fleeing criminals and missing persons.

Bueermann won the City Council's approval for the aviation program in March, by promoting the plane as a way to shorten response times and stretch scarce dollars, according to the Redlands Daily Facts.

Bueermann furthered his case by telling council members how aerial program could help police on the ground do their jobs more effectively, as Redlands can't afford to hire new police officers. A police observer can get a bird's-eye view of a fleeing suspect and transmit information to patrol officers on the ground.

Sgt. Shawn Ryan has been tapped to lead the department's Air Support Unit. He said he expects it will take about four minutes to get the plane in the air once a request for air support has been made.

Once in the air, a pilot can fly from one end of the Redlands to the other in about 90 seconds.

"I have a feeling we'll be on the scene first for most of the calls," Ryan said.

The aviation program's 18-month projected start-up cost is expected to be $185,000. This will be financed by seized drug money, car-impound fines and donations. General Fund dollars would not be spent on the aircraft because of the city's financial issues, Bueermann said.

A helicopter program was ruled out because of higher costs.

The Palm Springs, CA, Police Department also uses a fixed-wing aircraft for its aerial operations. Sgt. Mitch Spike said a fixed-wing aircraft is effective in search operations such as for a missing child.

According to Spike, one officer aboard a circling airplane can be as effective at finding a person as about 20 ground officers who have surrounded an area around a suspect.

Another fixed-wing bonus: officers doing surveillance may be less likely to be spotted and identified by their targets since helicopters are often recognized as law-enforcement vehicles.

Aircraft have definite advantages in law enforcement applications, the officers say. And if a helicopter's too expensive, go for the airplane, said Spike.

"It beats not having anything," Spike said.

FMI: www.ci.redlands.ca.us