36 Questions
What is the primary function of the Aviation Unit?
To conduct routine patrol, search and rescue operations, and criminal searches and apprehensions
What is the availability of helicopter assistance?
24 hours per day, seven days a week
Who is responsible for approving helicopter assistance requests?
Patrol Supervisor
What is the purpose of the Aviation Unit's aerial surveillance?
To support criminal searches and apprehensions
What is the name of the standard that governs the Aviation Unit's operations?
CALEA 41.1.4
Where can the complete Aviation policy statements be found?
In the Aviation SOP
Who is responsible for the operation of the aircraft?
The pilot in command
What happens if a pilot refuses a flight due to safety concerns?
They will report in writing to the Aviation supervisor
Who can operate the flight controls of BSO-owned aircraft?
Pilots assigned to Aviation
When can a Tactical Flight Officer operate the flight controls of a BSO-owned aircraft?
During emergency procedure training
What is required for a search for criminal suspects?
The area's perimeter to be immediately secured by ground units
What should be done if Canine is used in a search?
No person should contaminate the area
What is the minimum number of ground units required to staff each corner of the area's perimeter?
One
Who directs ground units to the most effective location during an area search?
The pilot
What is the primary goal of aerial patrol in law enforcement?
To provide aerial surveillance and report criminal activity to ground units
What is the purpose of conducting patrol flights in high-crime or specific target areas?
To support requests from other districts, divisions, and agencies
What is the purpose of conducting aerial photography?
To take crime scene photos for court presentations
What type of flights are conducted to assist persons in distress?
Search and rescue flights
What is the purpose of conducting training flights?
To enhance air operations' safety
What is required of any member of the public before they can board a BSO aircraft as an observer?
Execution of a hold harmless agreement
Who is exempt from the requirement to execute a hold harmless agreement?
Law Enforcement Officers or Government Employees acting on Official Business
What is the purpose of conducting public relations flights?
To educate the public about the capabilities and benefits of airborne law enforcement
Who should direct ground staff to relocate?
Aircrew or responsible supervisor
What is the most important feature of a vehicle when searching for it?
Make, model, and color
What should be included in a building description?
Street's block number, color, and unusual details
When is a helicopter considered a pursuit vehicle?
Never, according to the standard operating procedure
What happens when the fleeing vehicle is located from the air?
All communications on travel direction and upcoming hazards will be handled by the flight crew
What is the responsibility of ground units when the vehicle is in sight and air crew is handling communications?
To slow down and concentrate on their safety
Who is authorized to call off the helicopter from maintaining surveillance of a vehicle?
Aircrew or the Aviation Unit Command
What is one of the key factors considered when the aircrew terminates their participation in a pursuit?
Weather
What is the primary purpose of the helicopter during a vehicle pursuit?
To provide surveillance and support to ground units
What is the aircrew authorized to do if the pursuit is called off by the pursuit supervisor?
Continue to maintain surveillance of the vehicle
Why may a suspect's actions be considered when terminating aircrew participation?
To identify if the suspect's actions are a result of the helicopter being overhead
What happens if the pursuit is called off and the vehicle stops or a bailout occurs?
The aircrew coordinates with the jurisdictional authority to locate and detain the suspects
What is the status of this Standard Operating Procedures document?
Law enforcement sensitive and exempt from public records
Who reviews and redacts information from this Standard Operating Procedures before disclosure?
The Office of the Inspector General
Study Notes
Aviation Unit
- The Aviation Unit is a multi-purpose operation that includes patrol, search and rescue operations, and criminal searches and apprehensions.
- The unit is capable of deploying special teams for water rescue, K-9, and SWAT operations, and is available upon request to assist other agencies.
Aircraft Use
- The Aviation Unit maintains fixed and rotary-wing aircraft to enhance the level of service provided to the public.
- The available air services include:
- Routine patrol
- Vehicle pursuit
- Aerial surveillance
- Criminal search and apprehension
- Stolen vehicle recovery
- Deployment and extraction of the SWAT team
- Aerial crime scene photography
- Search and rescue
- Helicopter requests must be approved by the patrol supervisor responsible for ground operations.
Responsibilities
- The Aviation Unit will:
- Provide proactive law enforcement via random aerial patrol
- Report any criminal or suspicious activity to ground units
- Maintain aerial surveillance until the situation is resolved by ground units
- Conduct patrol flights in high-crime or specific target areas requested by other districts, divisions, and agencies
- Conduct aerial photography, including crime scene photography for court presentations
- Assist other units in preparation for a planned action, such as serving a search warrant
- Conduct search and rescue flights to find or assist persons in distress
- Conduct training flights to enhance air operations' safety, including emergency procedures
- Perform public-relations flights or displays to educate the public about the capabilities and benefits of airborne law enforcement
Operating Procedure
- Pilots will command the aircraft and be directly responsible for its operation, regardless of employees' rank on board.
- The pilot in command of the aircraft will have final authority and responsibility to cease operations or refuse assignments that may place the aircraft or crew in jeopardy due to weather or other conditions.
- Pilots will report in writing to the Aviation supervisor the reasons for any cancellation or refusal of flights due to safety.
- Only pilots assigned to Aviation will be authorized to operate flight controls of BSO-owned aircraft.
Area Search
- Any search for criminal suspects will require the area's perimeter to be immediately secured by ground units.
- The pilot will maintain an aerial overview of the entire area.
- The Aircrew will be authorized to direct any ground unit to the most effective location.
- Descriptions given to the helicopter by ground units should be basic, not detailed.
Vehicle Pursuit
- A helicopter will not be considered a pursuit vehicle when involved in a vehicle pursuit.
- If the helicopter is the only asset being utilized to track a vehicle that is not actively fleeing ground units, this will not be considered a vehicle pursuit.
- The helicopter will respond immediately to the vehicle pursuit area upon request.
- Descriptions and updated locations will be transmitted to the flight crew while en route.
- When the fleeing vehicle is located from the air, all communications on travel direction and upcoming hazards will be handled by the flight crew.
This quiz covers the standard operating procedures of the Aviation Unit in the Broward Sheriff's Office, including its capabilities and roles in search and rescue operations, criminal searches, and more.
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