MEMORANDUM. November 9, Eric Jones, Chief of Police. Rick Salsedo, Deputy Chief of Police AIR SUPPORT PROGRAM OPTIONS

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1 MEMORANDUM November 9, 2015 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Eric Jones, Chief of Police Rick Salsedo, Deputy Chief of Police AIR SUPPORT PROGRAM OPTIONS Over the past several months, Department staff have been reviewing various options for police air support. This has been accomplished via site visits, vendor presentations, subject matter expert presentations, and demonstration flights. Numerous air support options were looked at, but the fixed wing and rotor (helicopter) platforms were the options that were ultimately assessed as the best choices for consideration. Essentially, the advantages of a fixed-wing airplane as opposed to a helicopter are: reduced overall costs, longer air-time from fueling, and surveillance from a distance without subjects having an awareness of the aircraft. However, there are also limitations with an airplane, such as: not capable of producing overhead illumination, longer take off time, limited tactical support options, and limited rescue capability. So, ultimately, the selection criteria comes down to primary use (surveillance vs. callhandling) and cost. It is the opinion of Department staff that the ideal platform for an air support program for Stockton is with a helicopter, due to its ability to provide a wider range of police service support. This includes hovering capabilities, PA and overhead spotlight capabilities, more tactical support options (including limited covert surveillance options on routine calls for service where that may be preferred), rescue capabilities, and the ability to deploy staff quickly. Listed below are five currently available rotor options assessed by PD staff, along with the approximate estimated cost. AIRCRAFT PURCHASE PRICE ANNUAL COST 2015 R44 Raven $730,000 to $1.3 million $123, Bell 206B $1.4 million $198, Bell OH-58A $300,000 $200, MD 500E Little Bird $1 million $212, Eurocopter AS350B-3 $1.3 to $1.6 million $250,000 The above listed estimated annual costs are based on 500 flight hours annually (five hours per day; about two days per week). Since a rough hourly cost, not including officer salaries, is about $600/hour for a helicopter, $300,000 annually would likely provide for three days per week, and $750,000-$800,000 for seven days per week.

2 Eric Jones, Chief of Police November 9, 2015 Page 2 Some costs like maintenance and hangar space are fixed while some costs like fuel are variable. The costs are also dependent upon the type of aircraft. Attached in an infographic for the LAPD Helicopter Program which outlines helicopter costs but includes officer salaries. Please note that regardless of the selected air support option, an additional one-time expense of approximately $30,000 per additional pilot will need to be budgeted for flight training of at least one and possibly two additional pilots. Currently, Stockton PD has one officer qualified to fly helicopters and one lieutenant qualified to fly fixed wing. Even if we use some annuitant hires or volunteers as pilots, an effective program will require two to three full time staff certified to fly. for RICK SALSEDO DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE

3 Eric Jones, Chief of Police November 9, 2015 Page 3

4 MEMORANDUM November 7, 2015 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DEPUTY CHIEF TREVOR WOMACK OPERATIONS BUREAU LIEUTENANT SCOTT VOTINO FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION STOCKTON POLICE AIR SUPPORT UNIT SYNOPSIS This memorandum will cover the value that an Air Support (Helicopter) Unit brings to a municipal law enforcement agency and the community they serve. I will be including some statistical data from recent studies on the impact an air unit has within several areas of law enforcement, including crime rate, pursuits, officer safety, and citizen safety. Lastly, I will include several different aircraft platforms available and the cost related to them. These examples will include the initial purchase price followed by the estimated annual operational costs. IMPACT TO STOCKTON The City of Stockton is one of the larger municipalities in California. Along with its size and population comes an equally large crime rate and very active Police Department. As a professional agency, we are always striving to reduce the crime rate, improve citizen and officer safety, raise the quality of life standards, and reduce the city s exposure to civil liability and litigations. To complete this hefty task, we must remain effective in all operations while utilizing today s advanced technologies. An air support unit is a very effective way to impact all of these areas.

5 Lieutenant Scott Votino AIR SUPPORT PROGRAM November 7 th 2015 Page 2 PURSUITS: Police pursuits are always a hot button topic and an area of concern for the public and police administrators. When these types of situations go bad, the tragic consequences can be life changing for the involved families, the public, and can place a heavy economic burden on the city. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2006) reports that on average 350 deaths occur per year in crashes involving police pursuits. However, this figure could be much higher because there is no mandatory reporting system throughout the country to assist in gaining more accurate data. By extrapolating the 5-year totals, calculations have shown an average of 375 deaths per year. However, researchers estimate that the actual number of fatalities are between 400 and 500 deaths per year. Pursuits can start from something as minor as a traffic violation or could be involving a robbery and/or homicide suspect. We are constantly trying to balance the crime (that we are aware of) committed and the danger to the citizens when deciding to continue or cancel a pursuit. A majority of the pursuits we are involved in end when we terminate the pursuit and allow the suspect to evade capture. There are only a few different ways a pursuit may conclude: The suspect(s) decides to stop and gives up The suspect(s) or the pursuing officer has a collision The pursuing officer terminates the pursuit The following data was taken from the 2015 Watch Commanders Pursuit log: January 4 th through September 20 th we were involved in at least 74 pursuits More than 20 of those pursuits involved a collision Another 21 of those pursuits were terminated due to safety reasons Having Air Support allows the Law Enforcement agency to back off the pursuit and allow the suspect to drive in a safer manner. When the suspect stops, the ground units can be directed to the suspect and make the arrest.

6 Lieutenant Scott Votino AIR SUPPORT PROGRAM November 7 th 2015 Page 3 In 1998, a Pursuit Management Task Force (PMTF) was commissioned by the National Institute of Justice s (NIJ) Office of Science and Technology in Washington, D.C. to gather information on how to make high speed pursuits safer. Although many different methods were studied and many different technologies were tested; the helicopter was found to be an important and safer alternative tool in reducing the risks involved with high speed pursuits. Police departments that utilized a helicopter for their high speed pursuits were found to have great success in pursuits (National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center, 1998). An air support helicopter could have drastically changed the events of the pursuit and the tragic conclusion of the Bank of The West robbery. CODE THREE DRIVING: The same principals are applied to Code 3 operations. The air support unit can travel from one end of the city to the other in less than seven minutes, no matter what the traffic conditions are. The typical response time is only a few minutes, which drastically cuts the ground units response time and greatly enhances the opportunity to locate the suspect and make an arrest. Additionally the air support unit can give the responding officers hazard and condition updates, direct them around any hazards and update on the current situation which in many cases will allow the responding ground units to slow down and reduce the code in which they are responding.

7 Lieutenant Scott Votino AIR SUPPORT PROGRAM November 7 th 2015 Page 4 Having the quick response of an air unit that can advise responding officers about traffic conditions, hazards and updates on what is actually going on will have an impact on the response and improve safety for the officers and innocent citizens. CRIME RATE AND APPREHENSION: The mere presence of a Police Helicopter is not only a force multiplying police presence, but it strikes fear into the hearts of would be criminals because they know getting away from a police helicopter is much more difficult and risky then getting away when there is no helicopter. This is a very powerful deterrent and has a direct impact on a city s crime rate. In 2010 the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado had to make some hard choices regarding what city services to provide due to several years of budget reductions. Cutting the Air Support program had a direct and significant impact on the city s crime rate. Colorado Springs attributes that the single highest contributing factor to a 12% total crime rate increase is the elimination of the police helicopter. Its ability to respond to calls quicker, see more and do it safely contributed to a major increase in the capabilities of the police to deter and solve crime. There were several other small studies showing similar findings in crime reduction. Guthrie (1970) was able to show in Lake Wood, California that due in large part to their Air Support Unit they had an 8% reduction in major crime, 11% reduction in the crime rate per capita, 6% reduction in robberies and a 7% reduction in burglaries. Another small study done in Columbus, Ohio by the Center for Criminal Justice (1972) showed the air support unit contributed to a reduction in crime. This study showed reduction in robberies by 22%, burglaries by 10% and motor vehicle thefts by 29%. As the air support unit helps to reduce the crime rate, it also increases the arrest rate. There is a significant increase in the ability of the police to catch the suspects when the police helicopter is involved. The arrest rate of LAPD went from 16% when the helicopter was not involved to 45% when the helicopter was involved.

8 Lieutenant Scott Votino AIR SUPPORT PROGRAM November 7 th 2015 Page 5 CONCLUSION It is for the aforementioned reasons that I feel it is vital that the City of Stockton to implement an Air Support Unit. Attached you will find several graphs for quick reference as well as estimates on initiating and operating an Air Support Unit. I have included several different aircraft options, their estimated purchase price and annual operational costs. Respectfully submitted, LIEUTENANT SCOTT VOTINO FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION MC:

9 Lieutenant Scott Votino AIR SUPPORT PROGRAM November 7 th 2015 Page 6 ROBINSON R44 RAVEN II Brand New 2015 Model Base Price: $535, With Police Modifications: $729, $1.3 Million (FLIR, MAPPING/GPS, AND CAMERA SYSTEMS) Annual Operating Costs based on 500 flight hours: $123,000 Fixed Annual Cost: Liability and Hull Insurance $14,000- $28 PFH Reserve for Engine overhaul at 2200 hours: Includes: Exchange Kit, Parts and Labor Labor is $240 hours at $90 per hour $98.00 PFH Direct Operating Cost: $ PFH Includes: Fuel Est $6.10per Oil, Periodic Inspections and Unscheduled Maintenance Total Cost per flight hour: $246.00

10 Lieutenant Scott Votino AIR SUPPORT PROGRAM November 7 th 2015 Page BELL 206B Base Price: $800,000 With Modifications: $1.4 Million (FLIR, MAPPING/GPS AND CAMERA SYSTEMS) Annual Operating Costs based on 500 flight hours: $198,000 Estimated Variable Costs Per Flight Hour: Fuel & Oil: $75.00 Maintenance: $ Labor & Parts for Airframe, Eng, Avionics Engine Restoration: $95.00 Major Periodic Maintenance: $82.00 Total cost per flight hour: $396.00

11 Lieutenant Scott Votino AIR SUPPORT PROGRAM November 7 th 2015 Page MD 500E LITTLE BIRD Base Price: $500,000 With Modifications: $1 Million (FLIR, MAPPING/GPS AND CAMERA SYSTEMS) Annual Operating Costs based on 500 flight hours: $212,000 Estimated Variable Costs Per Flight Hour: Fuel & Oil: $75.00 Maintenance: $ Labor & Parts for Airframe, Eng, Avionics Engine Restoration: $95.00 Major Periodic Maintenance: $ Total cost per flight hour: $424.00

12 Lieutenant Scott Votino AIR SUPPORT PROGRAM November 7 th 2015 Page EUROCOPTER AS350B-3 Base Price: $1.3 Million With Modifications: $1.6 Million (FLIR, MAPPING/GPS AND CAMERA SYSTEMS) Annual Operating Costs based on 500 flight hours: $250,000 Estimated Variable Costs Per Flight Hour: Fuel & Oil: $ Maintenance: $ Labor & Parts for Airframe, Eng, Avionics Engine Restoration: $ Major Periodic Maintenance: $80.00 Total cost per flight hour: $500.00

13 Lieutenant Scott Votino AIR SUPPORT PROGRAM November 7 th 2015 Page 10 SIDE BY SIDE: 2015 R44 Raven 1995 BELL 206B 1971 Bell 0H MD 500E LITTLE BIRD 2003 EUROCOPTER AS350B-3 Purchase price $729, $1.3 Million Purchase price $1.4 Million Purchase Price $300,000 Purchase price $1 Million Purchase price $ Million Annual Operating cost $123,000 Annual Operating cost $198,000 Annual Operating cost $200,000 Annual Operating cost $212,000 Annual Operating cost $250,000

14 Air Support

15 Efficiency and Safety Most Air Support can: Expedite Police Response Handle Police Calls, Assist in Captures Provide Eyes in Sky Information Reduce Unneeded Ground Response

16 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Drone Limited/Isolated Areas Semi Covert Camera Aerial Views of Scenes No or Limited Spotlight & PA Non Mobile for Pursuits

17 Fixed Wing Airplane Surveillance / Covert Higher Altitude Less Fuel Needed Rural and Most Urban Areas Cameras No or limited spotlight & PA Limited Orbit

18 Rotorcraft Helicopter Multiple Altitudes Tighter Orbit Rural and All Urban Less Covert Cameras, Spotlight, & PA Can Handle Police Calls

19 Rotorcraft Helicopter Multiple Altitudes Tighter Orbit Rural and All Urban Less Covert Cameras, Spotlight, & PA Can Handle Police Calls

20 Air Support Uses

21 Air Support Pin Pointing for Capture or Search

22 Air Support Assisting in Vehicle Pursuit

23 Air Support Handling a Police Call

24 Helicopter Prices

25 R44 Raven Brand New 2015 Model Base Price: $535, With Police Modifications: $729, $1.3 Million (FLIR, MAPPING/GPS, AND CAMERA SYSTEMS) Annual Operating Costs based on 500 flight hours: $123,000 Fixed Annual Cost: Liability and Hull Insurance $14,000 $28 PFH Reserve for Engine overhaul at 2200 hours: $98.00 PFH Includes: Exchange Kit, Parts and Labor Labor is $240 hours at $90 per hour Direct Operating Cost: $ PFH Includes: Fuel Est $6.10per Oil, Periodic Inspections and Unscheduled Maintenance Total Cost per flight hour: $246.00

26 1995 BELL 206B Base Price: $800,000 With Modifications: $1.4 Million (FLIR, MAPPING/GPS AND CAMERA SYSTEMS) Annual Operating Costs based on 500 flight hours: $198,000 Estimated Variable Costs Per Flight Hour: Fuel & Oil: $75.00 Maintenance: $ Labor & Parts for Airframe, Eng, Avionics Engine Restoration: $95.00 Major Periodic Maintenance: $82.00 Total cost per flight hour: $396.00

27 1979 MD 500E LITTLE BIRD Base Price: $500,000 With Modifications: $1 Million (FLIR, MAPPING/GPS AND CAMERA SYSTEMS) Annual Operating Costs based on 500 flight hours: $212,000 Estimated Variable Costs Per Flight Hour: Fuel & Oil: $75.00 Maintenance: $ Labor & Parts for Airframe, Eng, Avionics Engine Restoration: $95.00 Major Periodic Maintenance: $ Total cost per flight hour: $424.00

28 1971 Bell 0H 58 Approximate Cost with Police Equipment: $300,000 Annual Operating cost $200,000

29 2003 EUROCOPTER AS350B 3 Base Price: $1.3 Million With Modifications: $1.6 Million (FLIR, MAPPING/GPS AND CAMERA SYSTEMS) Annual Operating Costs based on 500 flight hours: $250,000 Estimated Variable Costs Per Flight Hour: Fuel & Oil: $ Maintenance: $ Labor & Parts for Airframe, Eng, Avionics Engine Restoration: $ Major Periodic Maintenance: $80.00 Total cost per flight hour: $500.00