The Queensland Police Service air wing, POLAIR, has entered a new chapter today, with the operational launch of three new Bell 429 aircraft.
Police Minister Mark Ryan, Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski, Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers, and Queensland Police Commissioned Officers Union president Kerry Johnson attended the launch celebration at Archerfield today, which included the blessing of the aircraft.
The new aircraft officially became operational last month, with the Bell 429 fleet now servicing the southeast Queensland community.
Increasing southeast Queensland’s POLAIR fleet from two to three helicopters provides a significant boost for the QPS’ aerial capabilities, including increased patrol opportunities across the region, said Commissioner Gollschewski.
“The fleet’s improved safety technology, camera, and night vision capabilities will significantly enhance police operations and support ground-based personnel,” he said.
“Having an aerial advantage when responding to critical incidents helps to keep the community and our frontline safe.”
The new aircraft are fitted out with vastly improved safety technology, camera, and night vision capabilities, which assists officers’ crime fighting capabilities and responses to critical incidents.
The new police aerial assets are just the beginning of the QPS aerial capability expansion across the state. Funding has already been announced by the State Government to expand the POLAIR capability to Townsville, and to provide police aerial support to Cairns/Far North and the Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay regions.
The initial interim police aerial capability for Townsville is already operational and a tender process is underway to make this a permanent POLAIR capability.
Tender processes are also underway for the initial interim police aerial capability in each of the Cairns/Far North and Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay regions.
“These new eyes-in-the-sky will provide incredible operational support to the ground crews across the southeast, particularly during the apprehension of offenders,” said Police Minister, Mark Ryan.
“Not only that, but the State Government’s overall investment in POLAIR’s expansion will go a long way towards improving community safety across Queensland.”
