Professional Pilot, October 2017
AIRBORNE LAW ENFORCEMENT Baltimore Co Police Av Unit flies 3 Airbus AS350 B3 helicopters Prize winning activity excels in rescues and crime control and has received awards from IACP police chiefs and FLIR at ALEA for apprehensions B ased at MTN Martin State Airport Middle River MD the Baltimore County Police Aviation Unit was formed in 1983 In the beginning they were a part time aviation program that was only flying fixed wing aircraft 54 PROFESSIONAL PILOT October 2017 Today Baltimore Co Police Aviation operates 3 Airbus AS350B3 helicopters They run 2 shifts Monday through Friday and a shift each night on the weekend This unit is responsible for all aviation law enforcement within Baltimore County proper a 612 square mile area that essentially surrounds the City of Baltimore This patrol area also includes 175 miles of shoreline Mission Assignments range from routine patrol flights to conventional law enforcement duties such as responding to robberies and burglaries in progress The unit conducts 2 flights per tour to address crime trends and conditions within the county that are identified by the Departments Criminal Information Analysis Division Sgt David McVey the current unit on site supervisor explains We are often tasked to conduct directed patrol flights in response to a crime spike or a particular condition If a precinct commander notices an increase in burglaries they can request we conduct directed patrols at specific requested times and locations to combat these spikes By most accounts we have a good success in helping alleviate these issues McVey is a retired US Army Reserve colonel who flew Huey Cobras while on active duty in the Army He has supervised the unit since 2013 In addition to their conventional crime fighting mission the unit also provides aerial surveillance observation of large scale and or emergency situations They have the capability to provide video down linking to their department or other agencys command post In 2013 the unit was instrumental in responding to a train derailment of several tanker cars that also involved an explosion The unit down linked a video feed to the fire department that allowed fire officials to read the placards from the derailed tankers In this way they could identify its contents and provide a comprehensive and safe re By Ken Solosky ATP Helo CFI Bell 412 OH58 206L4 Airbus AS350 NYPD Chief Pilot retired Baltimore County Av Unit training with the Baltimore County Fire Department as part of their Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team HART
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