NCJ Number
43711
Journal
State Peace Officers Journal Volume: 24 Issue: 51 Dated: (MARCH-APRIL 1977) Pages: 50 - 59
Date Published
1977
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE USE OF HELICOPTERS AS PATROL VEHICLES BY THE HOUSTON, TEX., POLICE IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
HOUSTON'S HELICOPTER PATROL PROGRAM BEGAN IN JANUARY 1970. THE ORIGINAL FLEET OF THREE HELICOPTERS HAS GROWN TO 11 RECIPROCATING-ENGINE CRAFT, ALL BOUGHT WITH CITY FUNDS, AND FIVE TURBINE HELICOPTERS, FINANCED WITH FEDERAL GRANT MONEY. THE HELICOPTER DIVISION HAS 74 PERSONNEL -- 53 SWORN AND 21 CIVILIAN -- INCLUDING 23 PILOTS, 22 OBSERVERS, 6 SERGEANTS (ALL OF WHOM ARE PILOTS), 10 MECHANICS, AND 8 GROUND CREWMEN. THE HOUSTON DEPARTMENT REQUIRES AN OFFICER TO HAVE AT LEAST 3 YEARS' EXPERIENCE IN A PATROL CAR PRIOR TO ENTERING THE HELICOPTER PROGRAM. APPROXIMATELY 300 HOURS OF FLYING TIMES ARE REQUIRED FOR AN OFFICER TO BECOME AN EFFECTIVE OBSERVER. THE DIVISION HAS FOUND THAT THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK WITH HELICOPTERS IS TEAMWORK ON THE PART OF THE PILOT AND THE OBSERVER. PHYSICAL PROBLEMS (FATIGUE, STRESS, HEARING LOSS) SOMETIMES ENCOUNTERED BY HELICOPTER CREWS ARE NOTED. THE DEPARTMENT'S HELICOPTER-GROUND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, CRAFT MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES, AND SAFETY AND TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE DESCRIBED, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE EMPHASIS PLACED ON SAFETY. EXAMPLES OF SITUATIONS IN WHICH THE HELICOPTERS HAVE PROVED PARTICULARLY USEFUL ARE CITED. WAYS IN WHICH THE HOUSTON OPERATION DIFFERS FROM MOST HELICOPTER PROGAMS ARE POINTED OUT. PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATE THE ARTICLE.