How Lexington police utilize helicopters to find missing people, control traffic, and more
There are multiple units within the Lexington Police Department’s Bureau of Special Operations, such as the canine unit and the traffic enforcement unit. But the one that makes the most noise – quite literally – is the air support unit.
In fact, the unit isn’t unfamiliar with occasional noise complaints from civilians
“People complain about the noise,” said Pat Murray, who is the coordinator for the aviation unit. “There was a northside neighborhood resident who called to complain about noise, so I called him and I said, ‘well you had a burglary just two blocks away.’”
The Lexington Police Department utilizes two helicopters in its air support unit, which provide assistance to officers on the ground when necessary.
The Lexington Police Department helicopter was called up for a mission 53 times during the month of June, which was described by Murray as a very busy month. Lots of noise was made during those missions, which featured vehicle pursuits, search and rescue missions for missing persons and extra patrol for large, major events.
But the noise complaints aren’t common, and Bige Towery, a tactical flight officer, said the unit does see appreciation from the public. Murray said he understands some peoples’ displeasure with the loud helicopters, but he also believes the work the unit does and what they accomplish far outweighs any noise disturbances.
“Most people are reasonable and understanding. I wouldn’t want a helicopter over my house at two in the morning when I’m sleeping either, but it’s a benefit to the citizens and keeps them safe,” Murray said.
Lexington’s choppers provided by Department of Defense
The aviation unit was formed in 2005 when the first of two helicopters, Air-1, was given to the unit in October. The second, Air-2, came in 2008.
The aircraft the unit flies are Bell OH-58C helicopters. Murray described them as being similar to a Bell Jet Ranger, which is a civilian helicopter. The Lexington police helicopters each hold four people.
“The only difference between the civilian and the military model are our bird’s tail moves a little bit longer and the blades are a little bit longer,” Murray said. “Otherwise they’re identical aircraft.”
The helicopters came from the 1033 program, which allows the Department of Defense to give law enforcement agencies across the country military hardware. Since 1996, nearly 10,000 jurisdictions have received more than $7 billion of equipment, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
After a helicopter is designated to be sent to a police agency, it is sent to Wysong Enterprises in Blountville, Tenn., so it can be transformed into a police helicopter. It can take up to 18 months to get a helicopter mission-ready.
When the unit first got the helicopters from Wysong, they were equipped with just general aviation radios, some police mission equipment and a search light.
In 2009 the unit was given FLIR thermal imaging cameras for its helicopters. It allows the officers to use infrared light to spot subjects from above, which can be especially helpful responding to calls in the dark.
“That really changed things,” Murray said.
Another big change happened earlier this year when the helicopters were equipped with a GPS tactical mapping system that allows the tactical flight officer to more accurately describe locations. Before the change, flight officers had to narrate vehicle pursuits off memory, but the new mapping system lays out the street names and makes describing locations for officers much easier.
How Lexington’s police helicopters are paid for
All of the equipment used on the helicopters came from federal and state grants, meaning the only expenses for the police department are fuel and maintenance, according to the department. During the 2022 fiscal year, $36,500 was spent on fuel and a little over $89,000 was spent on maintenance.
All of the money to pay for those expenses comes from federal programs, according to Lexington police, and taxpayers don’t have to bear the costs.
The aviation unit operates under Federal Aviation Administration guidelines, which requires a number of routine maintenance inspections at various instances.
Both helicopters must undergo routine reviews every two years. On top of that, the aircraft must be inspected every 50 hours, and every hundredth hour the aircraft must undergo progressive maintenance.
“I sleep well at night knowing these aircraft are maintained a certain way, otherwise I wouldn’t do the job,” Murray said.
The maintenance hanger is located 70 yards from where the helicopters are parked when they’re not in the air. Air-1 is due for its bi-annual maintenance inspection in September while Air-2 is expected to return from the maintenance hangar soon.
Air-1 was built in 1968, but has undergone constant maintenance and repairs, plus the addition of the modern day police equipment and advanced radios.
“It’s better now than it was when it left the factory just because of the upgrades and the maintenance and the equipment we put on it,” Murray said.
How choppers help with traffic control, search and rescue
The most common requests for the aviation unit are helping with vehicle pursuits, locating missing persons and assisting with large events.
In 2012 the aviation unit assisted with search and rescue operations during the Salyersville, West Liberty tornado event. They also assisted Lexington police traffic earlier this year when a large snowstorm forced I-75 to be shut down.
“We had all these cars that were going on alternative routes that were not made for that type of traffic, including semi trucks that were getting stuck on side roads,” said Bige Towery, a tactical flight officer with the aviation unit. “We were able to utilize addresses and roads through our system to let the actual officers on the ground know where people were stuck.”
When it comes to assisting with large events, such as concerts, sporting events or major festivals, their main mission is to help alleviate traffic congestion. They also keep an eye out for threats with their unique vantage point. If needed, the officers in the helicopter could spot shooters or drivers who are posing a threat.
While in the air, it’s the pilot’s job to communicate with air traffic control and the tactical flight officer’s job to assist with the mission. Murray described Towery and other tactical flight officers as the “quarterback,” as they have to multitask with using the equipment, communicating with police on the ground and keeping the pilot updated on the mission and potential flight hazards.
In extreme scenarios, the helicopters are able to land at scenes and render aid if it’s necessary for survival and other methods of help aren’t immediately available. All pilots and tactical flight officers are medically trained and there are first aid kits aboard the helicopters. The medical equipment is provided by the Lexington Fire Department and checked annually.
How many officers are in Lexington’s helicopter unit?
The part-time unit is made up of four pilots and four tactical flight officers. When the unit was created in 2005 it only had three pilots and three tactical flight officers.
To be a pilot in the unit, one must have a commercial pilot rating and at least 500 hours of flight time. Tactical flight officers also must be licensed to fly in case of emergency and undergo approximately six months of training to learn how to use the equipment.
Murray was one of the first to join the unit when it was created. He was a 34-year veteran with the police department before retiring, and his retirement only lasted 10 months before the opportunity to join the unit came about. He said he sees a lot of cool things in the air.
“I call it the 50-yard line of seats to the game,” Murray said of his job. “I get to work with very competent people.”
Towery has been with the department for 25 years and has always been interested in the aviation unit. He said it’s difficult to find a spot in the unit.
“Unless someone retires, typically they don’t leave the unit,” Towery said. “I wanted to be in the unit for many years and there weren’t openings, and there’s a lot of interest obviously.”
Both of them love their jobs and take it very seriously. They recognize it has some major perks that come with the helicopter rides and unique views, but they also value the public’s safety and work tirelessly to make sure people stay safe during events where the helicopter is requested.
“To me, the benefit is as a citizen, I know that it’s another resource that the police department has to help in a variety of ways,” Towery said.
This story was originally published July 20, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
