Air Support Policing Policy

Policy No:
02/08
Effective Date:
Date Amended:

Policy Statement

The Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board (“the Board”) is committed to being the benchmark of excellence in policing.  Air support policing enhances the operational capability and effectiveness of the York Regional Police in their efforts to reduce crime, preserve life, protect property and ensure optimum officer and public safety in York Region.

Therefore, it is important that operational procedures are in place to ensure that the York Regional Police helicopter is used effectively and efficiently in the public interest.

Policy requirements set out in this document shall form part of the Police Services Board Policy Manual and the Chief of Police shall comply with these requirements in directing the York Regional Police.

Policy Guidelines

  • The police helicopter will attend incidents on a priority basis.

  • The highest priority is to be placed on persons at risk or crimes in progress.

  • The helicopter may be deployed in support of traffic enforcement initiatives.

Procedures

It is the policy of the Board that the Chief of Police shall: 

  1. establish procedures on-air support policing;

  2. ensure that members involved in air support policing have the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the specialized functions connected with air support policing; and

  3. report on an as-needed basis to the Board on the results of air support policing in York Region.