Kansas Highway Patrol’s request for funding met with skepticism

The five-aircraft fleet has seen an uptick in demand, in part due to the Covid-19 pandemic, where it has moved supplies and vaccines across the state. Between 2019 to 2020, the unit saw a 28 per cent increase in the number of hours flown: in 2020, aircraft logged over 1,600 hours of flight time. Enforcement activities account for roughly 40 per cent of the unit's work, with training accounting for another quarter of all airtime.

But Capt. Jason Vanderweide, who leads the air support unit, said an aging fleet is limiting its ability to do its work. One airplane and one helicopter are in the process of being repaired, and an older airplane lacks de-icing capabilities, meaning the inclement weather effectively grounded the fleet in Topeka.

Requesting two new helicopters and one fixed-wing aircraft

The agency is requesting a funding boost to redo its air support unit, angling for two new helicopters and one fixed-wing aircraft to replace part of its aging fleet, including one airplane which dates back to 1978. The plan, as outlined by Gov. Laura Kelly's budget request, would cost about US$16 million and would also require more money to help with the maintenance of the new aircraft.

However, conversations nationally have focused on changes to policing, including greater scrutiny of high-priced, high-level technology being in the hands of law enforcement. Legislators haven't expressed those worries publicly about the KHP proposal, but some activists are nonetheless concerned about proposed upgrades.

Representative plays down KHP’s impact

Rep. Shannon Francis, who chairs the panel that reviews the KHP budget, played down the impact the air support program has for western Kansas, but said he understood the arguments from highway patrol leaders.

"I want to make sure they have everything they need to do their job effectively and keep them safe and keep the public safe," Weigel said. "But I'm going to look at everything."

Airborne police services around the world are tasked with an enormous variety of missions, ranging from surveillance and crimefighting to rendering emergency assistance.