Airborne public safety has transformed law enforcement in the United States and around the world for over a century. Airplanes, helicopters, and drones provide an unparalleled ability to spot crime, people in distress, and other emergencies over wide geographies. Hovering, as well as the vertical takeoff and landing capabilities of helicopters make them especially well-suited to rescuing people, providing medical evacuation, and criminal pursuit. As with much of aviation, these capabilities developed over decades and in many different locations. By 2007, U.S. law enforcement agencies were operating 604 helicopters and 295 airplanes to reduce crime and support numerous life-saving missions. Several United States law enforcement agencies played critical roles in establishing the mission applications that have made aviation such an effective tool to keep people safe.
Eyes to the Sky: A Century of Law Enforcement Aviation and Airborne Public Safety explores these roles in depth. Use the exhibit landing page to learn more about the history of airborne public safety and to see how four different departments across the country spearheaded the effort to add aviation to the law enforcement toolkit.
