Helicopters perform vital roles for parapublic organisations such as police forces and environmental agencies.
The “police helicopter” has become a ubiquitous part of society. Helicopter capability is now fully integrated into most modern law enforcement organisations.
Helicopters are free from the difficulties and dangers of fast movement in densely populated urban environments. In sparsely populated areas a helicopter can cover a huge geographical area independent of ground infrastructure. Helicopters provide effective solutions to challenges such as anti-poaching campaigns and immigration control.
Traditionally, law enforcement organisations have tended to both own and operate their helicopters. However, there is a slow trend towards commercial outsourcing elements of the mission (particularly maintenance and training) and/or leasing in the required helicopters (in order to eliminate residual value risks and minimise upfront expenditure requirements).
Helicopters commonly used in the parapublic sector are the Bell 412, Bell 429, H135, H145, AW119 (single engine) and AW109 (twin engine) together with a range of light helicopters such as the AS350/H125 “Squirrel”.