Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
AIR OPERATIONS MANUAL
RM 450.01
RM 450.01
11-1-21
PURPOSE
This policy provides guidance for managing the Air Operations program.
POLICY
An Air Operations Manual is required by the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) for all air
operators. This manual meets this requirement, and is a consolidation of information, procedures,
rules, guidelines, and policy for the Sacramento Police Department’s Air Operations Unit (AOU). It
complements existing Department Orders, manufacturer’s Aircraft Flight Manuals (AFM), Federal
Aviation Regulations (FAR) and other pertinent information relating to flight operations.
While it provides guidance and best possible operating practices under most conditions, it is not a
substitute for sound judgment. Crewmembers have the authority to deviate from these guidelines to
the extent necessary to address emergencies, adverse weather, terrain, extenuating circumstances,
or to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft.
Nothing in this manual is intended to diminish the decision-making authority of the Pilot in Command
(PIC) as it relates to the safe operation of the aircraft, or to act in the best interest of the assigned
personnel.
In the development of these policies and procedures, consideration has been given in the following
priority:
1. Safety
2. Mission
3. Efficiency
Compliance with this manual is intended to provide the necessary level of organizational structure
and discipline to maximize safety and standardization.
RM 450.01
1
GENERAL PROCEDURES
The mission of the AOU is to provide safe and efficient aerial support for ground-based law
enforcement operations within the City of Sacramento and the surrounding region. The AOU safely
and cooperativeley works with our regional public safety aviation unit partners. The AOU has a cooperative
flight schedule with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Air Unit to maximize aerial coverage for the City and
County of Sacramento.
A. The unique observation platform provided by an aircraft is a force multiplier and benefits the
general law enforcement mission by providing:
1. Quicker response times to crimes in progress, which can increase suspect
apprehension rates and protect citizens.
2. An instant perimeter upon arrival, as officers in an aircraft can observe all sides of a
building or a block.
3. A command presence that provides the opportunity to de-escalate situations by
encouraging suspects to surrender rather than continue their criminal acts, fight or flee.
4. Observations and information to officers prior to their arrival to a call for service in order
to increase safety to officers and citizens.
5. A resource to allow officers in a vehicle pursuit to follow from afar (surveillance mode)
when the suspect’s driving is reckless and erradic.
B. Department aircraft will be used as direct airborne support of various facets of law enforcement
operations. The following are some of the support the department aircraft can be utilized for:
1. Patrol Operations
a. Area searches
(1) Missing persons- assist in locating missing persons by aerial searches, PA
announcements, using low light thermal imaging camera systems, etc.
b. Vehicle and foot pursuits
(1) Allows for increased following distance between officers and suspect(s).
(2) Aircrews can broadcast pertinent pursuit information to officers on the ground
such as, location, direction of travel, traffic and roadway conditions, cross
traffic, and other observed hazards.
(3) Surveillance mode is utilized as an observation platform of a suspect vehicle
allowing officers to maintain a loose containment until the suspect stops and
abandons the motor vehicle. With Watch Commander approval, the AOU can
maintain surveillance mode even if a pursuit is terminated.
(4) During foot pursuits, the AOU can direct ground units, establish containment
perimeters make PA announcements and conduct aerial searches.
c. Observation and intelligence operations
(1) protests
(2) search warrants
(3) surveillance on wanted subjects
d. General calls for service- any calls for service where the AOU can either handle the
call for service by searching an area or provide support to ground units through
aerial observations (e.g. hit and run vehicle accidents, reckless drivers, suspicious
RM 450.01
2 subjects or vehicles, etc.)
2. Special Project Flights
a. Community events
(1) air shows
(2) off-site landings
(3) open house events for the City
(4) public displays and community gatherings.
(5) school functions
a) Note: If the event involves landing at, or within 1000’ of a K-12 grade
school, the California Department of Transportation (DOT) Helicopter Landing
Authorization (HLA) must have been obtained. The assigned PIC is
responsible for ensuring the application for HLA authorization and site safety
survey at the school has been completed and obtained. Personnel conducting
the site survey must have received the appropriate training from the DOT in
order to be qualified to complete the HLA application.
b. Homeland Security Critical Infrastructure Checks
c. Aerial photos
(1) pre-operation planning
(2) investigation
(3) post-incident scene documentation
(4) other photos as needed by the department with approval by the AOU
Sergeant
d. Formation Flights -a formation flight is any flight involving two or more aircraft of the
same class flying in common direction within 150’ or less.
(1) Must be approved by the AOU Lieutenant.
(2) Must be coordinated on the ground prior to the flight with all pilots involved in
attendance. The PIC of the flight shall be identified as the flight leader.
(3) Flight leader shall be responsible for conducting pre-flight briefing during
which assignments and positions for each aircraft