Airborne law enforcement has long been accepted, and the effectiveness of aircraft in numerous law enforcement applications has been tested and shown to be an excellent tool in supporting the mission of law enforcement. The images of a police helicopter, equipped with a Night Sun and forward looking infra-red are as common as the patrol car. But what about when an airborne law enforcement unit is tasked to do specialized operations such as rappelling, fast roping and use of force? What are the risks? What are the benefits?
Aviation Special Operation Missions
Airborne law enforcement can carry out a wide variety of specialized missions. Agencies perform such specialized services as aerial firefighting, airborne use of force, rappel operations, high rise rescue and deployment of fast-rope teams. Agencies that are considering expanding their own aviation capabilities should consider these missions carefully. In order to be truly operational and more importantly, deliver the service as advertised, requires sustained funding and training.
There is no doubt that the special operation forces of the United States are the most superbly trained and professional fighting force in the world. The U.S. Army maintains a very competent, expertly trained group of aviators to support their ground Special Forces, These aviators train, train and train. Then train some more in order to carry out their very dangerous, often top-secret assignments.
When looking to implement a specialized mission to the overall capability, thoroughly explore the objectives, desires and expectations of the administration. Police administrators, completely unfamiliar with aviation, often get their ideas and thoughts from books, movies, television and the internet. Many an aviation commander has swallowed hard and wondered where the conversation was headed when the chief stated, "my wife and I were watching a movie over the weekend and…"
Poorly funded operations, especially in regards to sustained funding, are particularly dangerous. If an agency is tempted to upgrade their aviation unit with a one-time grant, and then expected to limp along with uncertain or worse, no sustained funding, it is setting them up for a disaster. Sometimes highly publicized homeland security initiatives with all the latest equipment make a splash in the headlines and the local TV news, only to be put back in the hangar or garage, never to be seen again.
Crawl, Walk Run
When beginning to perform these types of missions, training becomes the most important aspect. All parties need to train not only to proficiency but to expertise. These missions are often conducted under intense conditions. When the crazed lunatic is holding a school full of children hostage is not the time to decide we need more training on this stuff. If you advertise the service, make certain you can deliver it. Make certain it can be delivered at night, under less than ideal conditions.
In the development stages, get input from all the relevant stakeholders. If other specialized units will be involved, (i.e. SWAT) they should be consulted and procedures, especially emergencies, should be discussed, planned and practiced. Remember that different units have different ideas on what needs to be done and how it will be accomplished. When discussing the acquisition of a counter-terrorism helicopter for a major east coast city, the first meeting went along these lines: "We want it to carry heavily armed counter-terrorism officers", "We want it to carry surveillance equipment", "We want it to be like the helicopter in Blue Thunder with whisper mode," etc. In short, each unit had their own particular wants and needs (no, they did not get the whisper mode model).
Training, Training and Training
Clearly the most critical aspect of any specialized mission is training. Most units and departments underestimate the time and expense needed. These missions are very high speed and very demanding. The error margin is razor thin. All operators must be sharp and at the top of their game. There is no room for amateurs, part-timers or dabblers in these missions. A factor that is often overlooked is that this training can and will have an impact on routine/scheduled missions and maintenance. All training evolutions should at the very least had a complete and extensive pre-brief and post-brief. It is critical that all personnel understand their roles, responsibilities and expectations. A few years back, there was a palpable tension between the SWAT team and the aviation unit personnel before a scheduled rappel form a helicopter practice. No one would express why until a few questions were asked. It seems that there was a rumor that if "anything went wrong with the aircraft"; the rope holding the SWAT operator would be immediately cut, possibly causing serious injury or death. Once the issue was on the table, it was discussed and resolved putting everyone's mind at ease.
Up and Running
Once a unit proclaims they are "mission ready," they must maintain their currency and proficiency. High-profile missions tend to start out strong and then slowly make their way to the back shelf. If you say you can fast-rope the special operations officers onto a rooftop during a tense hostage standoff, realize that decision makers will have that capability in their toolbox and decisions might be made based on that capability.
Since real missions might be relatively rare, periodic "spur-of-the-moment" drills should be conducted. It is always great when you have two or three days to prepare for a drill. Equipment can be checked, procedures reviewed and the drill can proceed on a neat and tidy schedule. Rarely does reality offer such assurance. Spur-of-the-moment drills can expose weaknesses and allow corrective actions before the real thing.
The value of airborne law enforcement aircraft is clear and their unique and specialized capabilities should be examined. During these troubled times, all options that keep police officers safer should be explored. Sun Tzu, the famous Chinese general that wrote The Art of War, wrote "The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected'.
The very same could be said for aviation special team missions.
Make sure you proceed with caution!