Police helicopter

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MBB/Kawasaki BK117 - callsign Polair 61 (Western Australia Police).

A police helicopter is a helicopter used in police operations. They are commonly used for traffic control, ground support, search and rescue, high-speed car pursuits, observation, air patrol and riot control. In major cities where they are often called 'Ghetto Birds' by inner city youth, police helicopters are also used as air transportation for SWAT personnel.

Police helicopters are normally equipped with variants such as night vision, FLIR, infrared, surveillance cameras, radar, special radio systems and engines, loudspeaker systems, tear gas dispensers, searchlights, winches and winch cables, flashing light beacons, police rescue equipment and special seating. Weapons are usually not attached to the aircraft.

Police forces sometimes use military surplus helicopters, such as the Bell UH-1 Huey, but most buy their helicopters from major aircraft companies.

[edit] Belgium

The Belgian Aviation Support Group is part of the country's Federal Police. It offers specialised support to the police such as event control (traffic jams, plane crashes, crowds, sporting events, etc). The group’s five helicopters and two planes also search for missing people, suspects, clandestine laboratories, etc. The protection of VIPs and the transport of funds is also part of the mission.