Abstract
American experience with police helicopters has demonstrated a number of advantages to their use. The chances of a police officer or member of the public being killed or injured during a high speed chase are reduced. While a police car can patrol only about one-fifth of a square mile in an hour, a helicopter can partol an area of 7.6 miles with equal effectiveness. Police response times are reduced, and traffic congestion around public events can be better monitored. During major disasters, a city's emergency services can be better coordinated with the help of a helicopter. Although police tests of helicopters began in 1953 in Great Britain, no police force has yet purchased a machine and most forces rarely use the machines. One reason for this is a lack of planning. The original concept of using helicopters in police work was that they should be called out as needed and used mainly during emergencies. However, machines must be airborne and on call as part of an overall effort to combat crime. Also, most experiments have failed because helicopter observers were inadequately trained and effective communications with ground units were not established. Additionally, due to a lack of roof markings, police cars could not be easily identified by helicopter observers, and the lack of a grid system marked on street maps made the identification of streets and buildings difficult. However, private industry may be able to support the financing of police helicopters; banks might be willing to subsidize the cost of a machine if its use can be guaranteed in the surveillance of large money transports, and insurance companies may offer contributions if frequent patrols could reduce accidents. Also, commercial radio stations may provide funds in exchange for information that could be passed by radio directly to listeners from patrolling helicopters. No references are included.
