20051112 - Flight Officer J.T. Martin (right) and Tactical Flight
Officer Dan Maguire pilot a police helicopter around downtown Tampa
while on patrol with the aviation unit on Saturday. Police say the
aviation unit's patrols are essential, offering a view from above that
you could never get with just ground patrols. And chasing someone by
air is safer than on the streets where other innocent people are
driving. The unit routinely flies 12-16.5 hours per 24-hour period.
The unit's aircrew's work 11.5 hour shifts with a two-crew overlap
during peak hours. The unit is nationally recognized as a trendsetter
in gaining and applying new technology. The unit currently utilizes
the Aerial Films Gyrocamâ systems, including; 2 Day/Night Vision
cameras, one Triple Sensor Day/Night/InfraRed camera, and a Broadcast
quality Day camera. All of these systems are capable of real time
downlinking to all of the District Stations, a mobile Command Post and
a Mobile Response Vehicle. This technology allows the Unit to be
effective at all times of the day and night. The Unit currently
operates three Bell 407 helicopters. Unit consists of 16 permanently
assigned personnel. (Brian Cassella / St. Petersburg Times)
