Starting Up: Mission

Peoria’s aviation unit was created to help police officers and first responders reach scenes more quickly and operate more safely across the city and the surrounding West Valley.

The unit has two primary roles inside the helicopter: the police pilot and the tactical flight officer. The pilot flies the helicopter, while the tactical flight officer acts as the “cop in the air,” coordinating with ground troops, providing information and helping them make the best decisions.

The Bell 505 gives the team visibility that officers on the ground cannot always have. It supports patrol operations, fire response, search and rescue, and other public safety missions.

The unit helps establish perimeters, coordinate with SWAT teams and provide an aerial presence during operations. In one example, the helicopter was placed in a low orbit over a house during a warrant operation. The presence of the helicopter, police officers and SWAT operators helped bring the suspect out of the house and into custody.

The aviation unit also helps officers apprehend people who attempt to flee from established perimeters. More broadly, having eyes in the sky helps preserve life by giving ground personnel information and direction that can make arrests and emergency responses safer.

Peoria covers approximately 180 square miles, including mountainous areas and a lake within the city’s boundaries. The Bell 505 allows the department to reach fire personnel and other responders more quickly than before.

The helicopter is configured as a joint police-and-fire resource. It is not simply a police helicopter; it is a shared public safety asset supporting all first responders.

Peoria was the first agency in the West Valley to establish this type of air unit. The aircraft is equipped with police radios for neighboring agencies, allowing the crew to listen for calls, determine whether another agency needs help and respond when appropriate.

The Bell 505 was selected because it could support both police and fire missions while providing the flexibility, speed and visibility the growing region required.