| Police Home | 4102 ORANGE Street • Riverside, CA 92501 • 951-787-7911 |
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The Riverside Police Department has one of
the top law enforcement Aviation Units in the region. The Aviation
Unit provides multi-function support for ground operations in
observing, preventing and interdicting criminal activity. They conduct
investigations of criminal and non-criminal activity in wilderness areas not
readily accessible to ground
units.
They provide traffic surveillance, control, and aerial support for vehicle
pursuits. They give back-up assistance to ground units. They conduct
tactical team (METRO) insertions and extractions. They provide for VIP
protection support. Using forward-looking infrared technology, they provide
search and rescue services and conduct area searches for concealed suspects
and for lost persons. They provide an aerial photography platform. They
routinely assist the Riverside Fire Department and CDF with fire spotting,
surveying, and fire suppression by aerial application of water on
non-structural fires. They provide assistance to local, state and federal
law enforcement agencies and task forces on narcotics, criminal surveillance
and investigations.
In times of natural disaster, hazardous material spills, civil unrest or other major incidents presenting a threat to life and property, the Aviation Unit is equipped to act as an aerial command post, providing evacuation warnings, dispersal orders or other public address, crowd control coordination, disaster assessment and coordination. Equipped with an extensive array of multi-frequency radios, they are able to communicate with neighboring agencies, providing a vital link between the Riverside Police Department and these allied agencies.
In
2001 Riverside Police Aircrews flew 2000 hours and assisted with 473 arrests
and 55 pursuits. Because helicopters are not limited to roadways, stoplights
or speed limits, they are usually the first police unit to arrive at an
incident. In 2001, aircrews arrived on scene prior
to ground units on 3,506 of the 5,025 calls to which they responded. In
addition, they were able to handle 1,714 calls without the assistance of
ground units, freeing patrol officers for other calls.
After the events of September 11, Riverside Police Aircrews coordinated with the local Federal Aviation Administration office and March Air Reserve Base to continue aerial patrols of the city. Several locations in and around the city were named as critical locations and possible terrorist targets in need of extra security. Aircrews continue to provide that security.
Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement
One helicopter and pilot are specifically designated to assist the California Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement. They provide tactical air surveillance and assistance for high profile narcotics cases. During 2001, this mission was highly successful with 446 hours of flight time resulting in:
The seizure of over $2.7 million dollars in cash
52 arrests
Recovery of over 25 pounds of cocaine
Recovery of 4370 pounds of marijuana
Recovery of 16 pounds of finished methamphetamine and massive amounts of manufacturing chemicals and paraphernalia
Recovery of 2 pounds of heroin
Recovery of over a thousand tabs of ecstasy
Operations
The Riverside Police Aviation Unit is located in a state-of-the-art hangar facility on the north side of Riverside Municipal Airport.
The unit operates two Hughes 500D model and two M D 500E model helicopters.
Three patrol crews cover the 100 square mile city 19 hours a day, 7 days a week. One surveillance crew provides surveillance and support to the State Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement.
The aviation unit is part of the Special Operations Division.
All of the pilots are police officers.