A PROPOSAL TO:
Costa Mesa Police Department
June 15th, 2024
ATTACHMENT 1
PURPOSE
In 2011 the Airborne Law Enforcement
program, which provided air support ser-
vices to Costa Mesa, ceased operations.
Since that time, the City of Costa Mesa
has contracted air support services with
the Huntington Beach Police Depart-
ment. The current contract expires on
June 30, 2024. The Huntington Beach
Police Department is proposing an addi-
tional three-year contract to continue air
support services.
FACTS
The Huntington Beach Air Support Unit
was established in 1968. Huntington
Beach was the first city in Orange Coun-
ty and fifth in the entire nation to utilize
helicopters in support of public safety.
The primary mission of the Huntington
Beach Police Department Air Support
Unit (HBPDASU) is to fly in support of
police, fire and marine safety operations.
Those operations include, but are not
limited to patrol ground operations, sur-
veillances, aerial photo/intelligence gath-
ering missions, observation support for
police, fire and marine safety operations,
as well as SWAT operations and Emer-
gency/Disaster surveying.
Our primary goal is to provide a level of
service that contributes to the overall
success of the mission at hand. We un-
derstand that safety is critical to the suc-
cessful outcome of any mission, so we
strive to operate in as safe a manner as
possible in all areas of our aviation oper-
ations.
RESPONSE TIMES
The Huntington Beach Police Depart-
ment ASU heliport facility is located in
uncontrolled airspace (non-airport), al-
lowing us to become airborne without
the delays normally associated with air-
port operations. During an emergency
response, the aircraft can be airborne
within 1 minute 30 seconds of initial start-up/ignition.
Response times from the farthest southwest part of Huntington Beach are as fol- lows:
Huntington Beach (PCH/Anaheim Harbor Bridge) to Santa Ana (55 FWY/22FWY):
6 minutes 52 seconds
Huntington Beach (PCH/Anaheim Harbor Bridge) to Costa Mesa (Airport Loop Drive/405 FWY): 5 minutes 49 seconds
Huntington Beach (PCH/Anaheim Harbor Bridge) to Newport Beach (PCH/Reef Pt Drive, Newport Coast): 8 minutes 31 seconds
HELIPORT
The HBPD Heliport is owned by the City of Huntington Beach. Therefore there is no rental or lease agreement allowing our program to be cost efficient. The Huntington Beach Police Department ASU heliport facility is located in uncon- trolled airspace (non-airport), allowing us to become airborne without the de- lays normally associated with airport operations allowing for a quicker re- sponse time. We have two (2) full-time mechanics assigned to the heliport.
ASSETS OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
POLICE AIR SUPPORT UNIT
The Huntington Beach Police Air
Support Unit consists of three (3)
MD 530FF delivers increased op-
erational capabilities, greater mis-
sion versatility, and superior per-
formance. Equipped with the 650
shp Rolls-Royce 250-C30 engine,
the MD 530FF operates more ef-
fectively in hot, high environments
than other helicopters in its class.
Huntington Beach Air Support Helicopters (HB1) are equipped to assist with modern police work from an aerial platform.
Additional support equipment currently attached and used by HB1 includes:
Wescam MX-10 High-definition camera capa-
ble of infrared.
Night sun spotlight (50,000,000 candle power)
Churchill moving map system/GPS
Technisonic VHF/UHF radio (allows for multi
state/federal law enforcement agency commu-
nications)
Tyler Seats for SWAT / Marine Safety opera-
tions
Aerial digital photography equipment (for multi-
ple uses including CSI/Traffic collision investi-
gations)
Handheld/Aircrew delivered life rings
(automatic inflation upon contact with water)
Night Vision Goggles
HOURS OF AVAILABILITY / FLIGHT SCHEDULE
The Unit is staffed by a Police Sergeant, 6 Police Officer/Pilots, and 2 Helicop- ter Maintenance Mechanics.
HB1 currently is scheduled to fly 2,000 hours/year for normal patrol functions.
The HBPD Air Support Unit provides 7-day a-week coverage with three 2- officer flight crews. Currently there are two Certified Flight Instructors assigned to the unit. The following is our normal schedule deployment.
SPECIAL EVENTS
The advantage of having three (3) fully operational helicopters allows The Air Support Unit to be available for special events and holidays. HB1 can be available in addition to regular patrol times to provide support for scheduled special events and operations, as well as unforeseen events such as protests and rallies.
SWAT
The HBPD Air Support Unit is a valuable asset and often used to support SWAT Operations. The ASU is available
to train with the SWAT team to maintain proficiency and promote teamwork.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1500-0300 1500-0300 0800-0300 0800-0300 0800-0300 0800-0300 1500-0300
AIR SUPPORT BENEFITS
The availability of a police helicopter offers an advantage that enhances the ca- pabilities of officers, fire fighters and marine safety personnel on the ground.
When a police helicopter is used during a vehicle or foot pursuit, public safety is greatly enhanced.
The ability to observe and report on uninvolved vehicle/pedestrian traffic, road conditions, and suspect actions brings a greater degree of safety to the event.
The capabilities of the police helicopter make it an invaluable tool during major emergencies and natural disasters.
A study conducted for the Los Angeles Police Department by JPL (Jet Propul- sion Laboratory) determined the following:
One police helicopter provides a level of service equivalent to eight (8) 2- officer patrol cars.
The presence of the police helicopter operating on routine patrol was found to be an active deterrent to crime.
During a major incident or tactical operation, the presence of a police helicop- ter with a well-trained Pilot and Tactical Flight Officer act as a force multiplier for the overall police operation.
PROPOSED HOURLY RATE
The proposed contract rate for air support services by the Huntington Beach Po- lice Department Air Support Unit includes the Direct Operating Cost (DOC) of the helicopter. The DOC can be provided upon request.
The recommended proposal for hourly service of the Huntington Beach Police Air Support Unit is: $850 / hour with an increase tied to the Consumer Price Index each year.
CONCLUSION
The Huntington Beach Police Department Air Support Unit prides itself on profes- sionalism. We are fully capable and prepared to extend air support services to your cities. We look forward to the opportunity to discussing this further.
Huntington Beach Police Department
2000 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | P.O. Box 70 | 714
-
960
-
8811
Eric Parra
Chief of Police