Police helicopters will remain servicing the Logan Policing District after the state government announced a $29.9 million commitment for the next six years.
In the 2015/16 financial year police helicopters, PolAir 1 and 2, accumulated 978 hours in total flight time which provided specialist services to front-line officers and enhancing public safety.
Logan Police District acting chief superintendent Ben Hanbidge said PolAir had proven to be of great benefit in the Logan and Scenic Rim communities.
“It is an invaluable tool for operational police due to its ability to provide real time situational awareness to officers on the ground and enhancing officer safety,” he said.
“PolAir complements the Region’s current policing model with an aerial resource to assist with the detection of crime and assisting ground crews to detain offenders.
“The use of the helicopter provides an effective aerial surveillance platform and allows the coverage of greater distances and other various terrains not easily accessible by vehicle.”
The work of PolAir covers all facets of police enforcement including responding and investigating crime, calls for assistance, detecting and providing evidence, patrolling crime hot spots, providing police presence at events and contributing to the security of critical infrastructure and providing a policing response service from the air.
Police commissioner Ian Stewart said the police helicopters were an extremely useful tool in preventing, detecting and solving crime across south-east Queensland.
“Having an eye in the sky to monitor what is happening and providing real-time intelligence to police on the ground means officers can better respond to unfolding situations,” he said.
“The state-of-the-art equipment on board also allows officers to record high quality footage to be used as evidence in court cases and a loud speaker to send out important public messaging.”
Minister for police, fire and emergency services Bill Byrne said the police helicopters based in south-east Queensland had been an invaluable asset in keeping Queenslanders safe.
“The assistance Polair has provided to police on the ground has been instrumental in solving hundreds of crimes across the south-east since 2011,” he said.
Last financial year PolAir helped apprehend 347 people, assisted in 187 missing person searches and responded to 1,233 calls for service.
