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Air Section Receives Recognition
AIR SECTION FEATURED IN “AIR BEAT” MAGAZINE ARTICLE!
The Wichita Police Department Air Section (Helicopter Unit) recently received distinguished recognition from the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA). ALEA is the premier organization representing professional law enforcement aviators at home and abroad. As a worldwide entity, ALEA boasts over 3,800 professional, retired, technical specialist, associate, corporate, and affiliate members representing many countries.
The Police Department’s Air Section received its recognition by being featured in an article, complete with color photographs, including the front cover shot, entitled, “Pioneering an Evolution in Kansas: Wichita Police Department’s Air Section” published in the recent May/June 2003 – “Annual Conference and Exposition” issue of ALEA’s “Air Beat” Magazine, which enjoys national and international circulation. Free copies of the magazine and article were distributed to the hundreds in attendance at the widely-acclaimed ALEA 33rd “Annual Conference and Exposition” held in Wichita, Kansas July 21-26, 2003. The Air Section has been a vital part of the Wichita Police Department’s day-to-day operations since its inception in 1970. The “Air Beat” article highlighted the Unit’s history and service to community, and focused extensively on completion of its overall modernization program which culminated in the recent transition from a small, piston powered fleet to its first light single turbine engine helicopter, a MD Helicopters, Inc. MD 500E.
This article, in its full entirety, may be found at by clicking here.
AIR SECTION FEATURED IN “AIR BEAT” MAGAZINE ARTICLE!
The Wichita Police Department Air Section (Helicopter Unit) recently received distinguished recognition from the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA). ALEA is the premier organization representing professional law enforcement aviators at home and abroad. As a worldwide entity, ALEA boasts over 1,600 professional members, and many times more retired, technical specialist, associate, corporate, and affiliate members representing many countries.
The Police Department’s Air Section received its recognition by being featured in an article, complete with color photographs of the Unit’s helicopters, entitled, “Sky Knight, Sky Bright…33 Years, 1 Million Patrol Hours,” in the recent January/February 1999 issue of ALEA’s “Air Beat” Magazine, which enjoys national and international circulation. Free copies of the magazine and article were distributed to the thousands in attendance at the widely-acclaimed Helicopter Association International’s 51st Annual “Heli Expo ‘99” held in Dallas, Texas February 20-23, 1999. The Air Section has been a vital part of the Wichita Police Department’s day-to-day operations since its inception in 1970. The “Air Beat” article lauded the Air Section as being one (1) of only thirteen (13) U.S. law enforcement helicopter units that make up the prestigious “Operation Sky Knight” Alumni.
“Operation Sky Knight” was a manifestation of the Law Enforcement Assistance Act of 1965, which was designed to provide law enforcement with funds dedicated to encourage the advancement and sophistication of crime fighting strategies. Under the Act, federal funds were allocated to city, county, and state law enforcement agencies under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Law Enforcement Assistance. In a cooperative effort between the Office of Law Enforcement Assistance, the City of Lakewood, California, and the Hughes Tool Company/Aircraft Division, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department launched a very creative and innovative program designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of helicopters as effective proactive patrol vehicles. The program was implemented and became an operational reality in 1966. Since its inception 33 years ago, participating “Operation Sky Knight” helicopter units have flown over 1 million flight hours as a part of the program.
The Wichita Police Department was quick to realize both the potential and real benefits of a helicopter program and, as such, became a member of the “Operation Sky Knight” Alumni by implementing a helicopter unit of its own in 1970. While there have been a scant few law enforcement agencies that have established aviation (fixed wing airplane and/or helicopter) units ahead of the Wichita Police Department, the Air Section is widely regarded within the law enforcement aviation community as a pioneer in terms of developing one of the first regular proactive helicopter patrol programs. Since its origin 29 years ago, the Air Section has flown well over 43,000 flight hours while providing airborne public service to our community and surrounding locales as well. Thirty-three (33) years and over 1 million flight hours later, “Operation Sky Knight” lives on and is still going strong. The Wichita Police Department Air Section is very proud to be an active member of such an exclusive and time-honored group!
Air Section Honored by Schweizer Aircraft Corportation
The Wichita Police Department Air Section (Helicopter Unit) recently received distinguished recognition from Schweizer Aircraft Corporation at an annual event sponsored by the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA). ALEA is the premier organization representing professional law enforcement aviators at home and abroad. As a worldwide entity, ALEA boasts over 1,600 professional members, and many times more retired, technical specialist, associate, corporate, and affiliate members representing numerous countries.
On June 29, 1995 at ALEA's Annual Conference and Exposition held in Phoenix, Arizona, the Police Department's Air Section received its recognition by being inducted as a charter member into Schweizer Aircraft Corporation's "Quarter Century Club." The Unit was presented with a special plaque which read in part, "Your Leadership and Dedication to Airborne Law Enforcement Set the Standard Nationwide!" The Air Section has been a vital part of the Wichita Police Department's day-to-day operations since its inception in 1970. The presentation lauded the Air Section as being one (1) of only eight (8) U.S. law enforcement helicopter units that make up the charter membership of the prestigious "Quarter Century Club."
Schweizer Aircraft Corporation proclaimed, "The Wichita Police Department is recognized throughout the country as a leader in airborne law enforcement. The long-standing success of your city's aviation unit is testimony to your Department's progressive approach to law enforcement and to your commitment to use a "force multiplier" to provide efficient, cost-effective police protection to the citizens of Wichita...In order to incorporate the many advantages of airborne patrol, many (police chiefs from throughout the U.S. and Canada) are working feverishly to develop aviation units such as that developed in Wichita, Kansas over twenty-five years ago."
The Wichita Police Department was quick to realize both the potential and real benefits of a helicopter program and, as such, became a member of the "Quarter Century Club" by implementing a helicopter program of its own in 1970. While there have been a scant few law enforcement agencies that have established aviation (fixed wing airplane and/or helicopter) units ahead of the Wichita Police Department, the Air Section is widely regarded within the law enforcement aviation community as a pioneer in terms of developing one of the first regular proactive helicopter patrol programs. Since its origin 25 years ago, the Air Section has flown well over 39,000 flight hours while providing airborne public service to our community and surrounding locales as well. Reaching the quarter century mark as a law enforcement aviation unit and attaining charter membership status into the coveted "Quarter Century Club" is indeed quite a hallmark. The Wichita Police Department is very proud to be an active member of such an exclusive and time-honored group!
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