Air Support
The Houston Police helicopter division celebrated its 40th anniversary of airborne law enforcement in 2010. The unit was first formed in 1970 with three leased Schweizer 269B helicopters. Since that time Houston has flown almost exclusively Schweizer or MD helicopters.
In 2008 the Houston Police Department acquired new MD500E helicopters. The department also has Schweizer 300 helicopters for training. The Air Support unit has a total fleet of 10 or more helicopters.
Houston is the largest city in Texas with a 2008 population of 2.2 million in a 600-square-mile (1,600 km2) area. The helicopter division patrols about a 700-square-mile (1,800 km2) area. Houston Police have two helicopters in the air for up to 21 hours a day. All pilots and Tactical Flight Officers are sworn Houston police officers.
The City of Houston is committed to airborne law enforcement and establishes the Houston Police Department as a leader in law enforcement aviation. As of 2010, The Houston Police Department's air support division is quickly set to become the second largest municipal police air support unit in the country. .
Read more about this topic: Houston Police Department
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