'Strong value': Regina police to officially launch Aerial Support Unit
The Regina Police Service (RPS) will be officially launching their Aerial Support Unit on Thursday morning.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, RPS Chief Evan Bray said their police plane has already proven to have a positive impact on public and officer safety in the community.
“I can tell you that number one, it has sped up the time it takes us to investigate and make an arrest, absolutely has reduced the amount of force that we use, exponentially, in three months. It’s been outstanding,” he said.
RPS had purchased the aircraft, a Cessna 182, in September, which began patrolling over the city by the end of October.
The launch will be held at 10 a.m. at the Kreos Aviation Hangar at 2550 Arrow Bay at the Regina International Airport.
“Deputy Chief Dean Ray will be leading the discussion at the launch on Thursday morning. He’s been our lead through this entire process, and so it’s been a big success for the citizens of Regina,” Bray said.
Bray said the plane has been very beneficial and community members are raving about the response times and the ability for RPS to hold people accountable.
“We’ve had people knocking on our doors from outside agencies, including recently talk with File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council, looking at signing a bit of an MOU [Memorandum of Understanding] to help with potential search and rescue efforts that’ll be happening,” he said
“I think there’s going to be strong value for the air support unit.”
Benefits of the unit include the ability to track down suspects more quickly and discreetly.
“What happens is, the driving behaviour of the subject, when they’re not being followed by a police car with the lights on, they tend to slow down, they tend to drive more normally and most times, they go to a destination,” Bray said.
“We’ve been able to arrest high-risk offenders in the community getting a coffee in the Tim Hortons drive-thru because it’s casual, they don’t know that they’re necessarily about to be arrested by the police.”
The cost of the airplane and associated instruments was said to be about $1.2 million but much of the cost was covered by the provincial Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund and SGI.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.