Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Division

Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Division
LAPD · Public domain · source
Agency name	Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Division
Abbreviation	ASD
Formed	1965
Country	United States
State	California
City	Los Angeles
Parent agency	Los Angeles Police Department
Headquarters	Van Nuys Airport
Aircraft	Helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, drones

Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Division

The Air Support Division provides aerial reconnaissance, tactical support, and transportation for law enforcement in Los Angeles. It operates helicopter and fixed-wing platforms to assist patrols, investigations, search and rescue, and major-event security in coordination with municipal and regional partners. The unit integrates aviation assets with ground commands during incidents involving public safety, critical infrastructure, and large-scale events.

History

The division traces roots to mid-20th century experimentation with police aviation that paralleled developments at Los Angeles International Airport, Van Nuys Airport, and other Southern California aviation centers. Early milestones involved collaboration with California Highway Patrol aviators and exchange with units from New York City Police Department and Chicago Police Department. The 1960s expansion paralleled national trends following incidents such as the Watts riots and the rise of aerial surveillance techniques used during events like the Civil Rights Movement demonstrations and 1968 Democratic National Convention. Technological shifts in the 1980s and 1990s saw integration of systems used by Federal Aviation Administration, United States Air Force liaison programs, and procurement influenced by manufacturers such as Bell Helicopter Textron and Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters). Post-2001 changes reflected cooperative planning with Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, and Los Angeles County agencies following security concerns raised by incidents including September 11 attacks.

Organization and Units

The division is staffed by sworn pilots, tactical flight officers, maintenance crews, and civilian support organized into flight squads and maintenance sections. It coordinates with the Los Angeles Police Department Metropolitan Division, Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), Los Angeles Fire Department, and Los Angeles County Lifeguards for maritime and terrestrial response. Administrative oversight involves interaction with the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners and the Office of the Inspector General (Los Angeles) for policy and accountability. Interagency tasking ties to regional partners such as the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and municipal agencies across San Fernando Valley, South Los Angeles, and other jurisdictions.

Aircraft and Equipment

The fleet has included rotorcraft like models from Bell 206, Eurocopter AS350, and variants from Airbus Helicopters H125 series, alongside fixed-wing aircraft for patrol and transit similar to those used by Los Angeles County aviation units. Aviation sensors include electro-optical/infrared systems supplied by vendors associated with Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Technologies, mapping and communications tied into networks used by FirstNet (communications network), and airborne systems compatible with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have been adopted in limited roles, reflecting statewide policy dialogues with California Legislature and procurement practices observed by agencies like San Diego Police Department and Phoenix Police Department.

Operations and Missions

Missions encompass aerial surveillance during tactical operations, pursuits coordinated with patrol divisions, search and rescue in terrain near Griffith Park and the Santa Monica Mountains, and aerial observation for wildfire and disaster response alongside United States Forest Service and Cal Fire. The division supports major-event security for occasions such as the Academy Awards, Los Angeles Marathon, and sporting events at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Crypto.com Arena in coordination with event organizers and venue security. Tactical airborne command supports SWAT entries, hostage incidents, and counter-narcotics operations that often involve multiagency task forces including the Drug Enforcement Administration and United States Marshal Service.

Training and Safety

Pilots complete aviation training comparable to programs used by National Transportation Safety Board investigations and standards aligned with Federal Aviation Administration certificaton. Tactical Flight Officer and aircrew training integrates doctrines similar to those at Naval Aviation Schools Command and includes scenario-based instruction with ground units such as LAPD Rampart Division and Pacific Division (Los Angeles Police Department). Safety protocols evolve from lessons learned in cases examined by entities like the Los Angeles County Coroner and audit recommendations from the American Civil Liberties Union when civil liberties issues arise. Maintenance cycles adhere to manufacturer guidance from Airbus Helicopters and regulatory oversight by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors.

Notable Incidents and Controversies

High-profile operations have drawn scrutiny from media outlets including the Los Angeles Times and oversight bodies such as the Los Angeles City Council. Incidents involving in-flight accidents prompted investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and internal reviews by the Office of the Inspector General (Los Angeles). Use of aerial surveillance and tethered sensors has been challenged in hearings led by members of the California State Assembly and civil liberties advocacy by groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and Electronic Frontier Foundation. Operational controversies have included debates over aerial pursuit policies after incidents comparable to national cases reviewed by the United States Department of Justice and local inquiries by the Board of Police Commissioners. Reforms have been influenced by recommendations from independent panels and comparisons with practices at New York City Police Department Aviation Unit and other municipal aviation programs.

Category:Law enforcement aviation units in the United States Category:Los Angeles Police Department