The 2021 Police Aviation special edition provides insight on the variety of considerations law enforcement services need to consider when creating and support their aviation units. Police aviation face a diversity of missions parameters, and Barry Smith outlines both the procurement of helicopters for police forces – favouring smaller, ex-military helicopters like the Bell 407 – and the equipment they need for search and rescue missions.

Surveillance is an integral part of police aviation. UAVs are becoming an undeniable element of forces in Europe and North America, and Mario Pierobon discusses how UAVs can best be deployed in support of a helicopter team and their yet unfulfilled potential. Additionally, Mandy Langfield speaks to forces around the world on their preferred camera equipment and how training supplements their use.

This issue also includes interviews from the Alaska Department of Public Safety and Virginia State Police about the unique challenges facing these divergent parts of the US.

Of course, we also want to profile the latest developments across the entire airborne special missions community, and you can find articles about the Norwegian three-crew concept, a look at CareFlight’s 35 years of operation, and even an exclusive excerpt from Bryon Edgington’s new book about the benefits of rotary- over fixed-wing aircraft.