Operational Value of Police Helicopters: A Cost-benefit Analysis 2 International Journal of Police Science and Management 2002, Volume: 4 Issue: 3 by Paul C.
Whitehead and Paul C. Whitehead https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtuallibrary/abstracts/operational-value-police-helicopters-cost-benefit-analysis Abstract
The costs used in this study were based on the actual leasing and operational expenditures for the use of a helicopter for 1,000 hours for a 1-year period.
Benefits were measured in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. The monetary value of policing time that is saved by canceling the attendance by other police officers and the amount of police downtime saved when the helicopter is used define "efficiency" in this study. "Effectiveness" is defined as the monetary value of higher rates of apprehension when the helicopter is involved by considering the value of greater detective time to affect the balance of the apprehensions. It was also found that at least 25 percent of the cost appeared as a (saving) benefit.
NOTE: Any analysis should also include an examination of deaths/injuries caused by police aircraft (fixed wing vs. helicopter) , including deaths/injuries to civilians.