GGPDE_416_-_Obtaining_Air_Support_2762642

Policy 416Garden Grove Police Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/09/09, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Garden Grove Police DepartmentObtaining Air Support - 1Obtaining Air Support 416.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The use of a police helicopter can be invaluable in certain situations. This policy specifies potential situations where the use of a helicopter may be requested and the responsibilities for making a request. 416.2 REQUEST FOR HELICOPTER ASSISTANCE If a supervisor or officer in charge of an incident determines that the use of a helicopter would be beneficial, a request to obtain helicopter assistance may be made. When a helicopter is needed, a patrol supervisor or scene supervisor will make the request to Dispatch. Dispatch will attempt to complete the request via the Air Call Channel on the 800 MHz radio system. If Air Call is not available, dispatchers may make the request via telephone or the Landline channel. Requests via telephone or the Landline channel are to be made from the following agencies in the order listed: (a)Orange County Sheriff's Department (b)Huntington Beach Police Department (c)Anaheim Police Department The supervisor at the scene of the incident and the responding helicopter crew will coordinate their radio communications frequency through Control I for the duration of the incident. Any request for the use of a helicopter that arrives and assists pursuant to the request, must be reported to the respective Division Lieutenant in writing via intra-departmental memorandum. 416.2.1 REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FROM ANOTHER AGENCY After consideration and approval of the request for a helicopter, the Division Lieutenant, or his/her designee, will call the closest agency having helicopter support available. The Division Lieutenant on duty will apprise that agency of the specific details of the incident prompting the request. 416.2.2 CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH AID MAY BE REQUESTED Police helicopters may be requested under any of the following conditions: (a)When the helicopter is activated under existing mutual aid agreements (b)Whenever the safety of law enforcement personnel is in jeopardy and the presence of the helicopters may reduce such hazard (c)When the use of the helicopters will aid in the capture of a suspected fleeing felon whose continued freedom represents an ongoing threat to the community (d)When a helicopter is needed to locate a person who has strayed or is lost and whose continued absence constitutes a serious health or safety hazard (e)Vehicle pursuits Garden Grove Police Department Policy Manual Obtaining Air Support Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/09/09, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Garden Grove Police DepartmentObtaining Air Support - 2(f)To aid in the search of a felony crime scene While it is recognized that the availability of helicopter support will generally provide valuable assistance to ground personnel, the presence of a helicopter will rarely replace the need for officers on the ground.