Helicopters and Their Use in Police Pursuit: A Final Report to the National Institute of Justice

• NCJ Number: 171376
• Author(s): G P Alpert; J MacDonald
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 58 pages
• Grant Number(s): 93-IJ-CX-0061
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Survey

Annotation

An analysis of the use of helicopters in police pursuit operations used data from observations and empirical analyses of the aviation units in the Baltimore and Metro-Dade (Fla.) Police Departments and a survey of citizen attitudes; the study concluded that helicopters provide a useful and important service to police and to the pursuit function.

Abstract

Data were collected in 1996-97 from interviews with police personnel, participation in flights, a review of forms and flight logs, and a survey of 169 Baltimore residents. Results revealed that helicopters can track vehicles and alert ground units to the suspects' direction, location, and activities. This information allows the ground units to turn off emergency equipment and move more slowly to protect public safety while maintaining visual contact with the fleeing vehicle. The financial requirement remains a major obstacle to the maintenance and operation of a helicopter unit. Citizens support the police use of pursuit for serious crimes, but support decreases for minor offenses and when information about the dangers of pursuit is presented. Findings suggest that policies to guide the use of helicopters in pursuit are important, that ground units that are assisted by a helicopter should be required to terminate their active involvement in a chase and return to the speed limit, and that both flight crews and ground personnel need training. Overall, the use of helicopters in pursuit provides an excellent way to protect the public and apprehend suspects. For details on survey responses, see NCJ-171375. Tables and study instruments