POLAIR has proved to be a valuable asset in Townsville in its first 12-months of operations.
POLAIR has significantly enhanced police operations in Townsville since it commenced on 1 October 2024, following the successful contracted Meridian Helicopters aerial assets which operated from mid-December 2023.
The POLAIR team responds to urgent jobs as far south as Proserpine, west to Charters Towers, and north to Cairns and has seen major success tracking stolen vehicles and domestic violence offenders, conducting surveillance operations and searches for missing persons.
Townsville District Officer Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Lawson said Townsville POLAIR has significantly boosted the ability to quickly respond during police operations in the district and beyond.
"The aircrafts are equipped with state-of-the-art safety technology and advanced camera and night vision instruments, providing added capabilities during operations.
"This technology is vital when responding to critical incidents, like tracking stolen vehicles, arresting offenders, surveillance operations, and locating missing persons," Chief Superintendent Lawson said.
Police Air Operations Manager Chief Inspector Daniel Bust said the role of POLAIR is to provide critical situational awareness to frontline and specialist police in Townsville and surrounding areas.
"The first 12 months of this capability in Townsville has resulted in significant outcomes for the Townsville community, with the aircraft directly assisting local police with the arrest of over 350 offenders and more than 120 domestic and family violence respondents being located.
"Introducing a new airborne law enforcement capability in Townsville has been a substantial achievement for POLAIR, from the recruitment and training of our Tactical Flight Officer team, introducing a new aircraft type with the Bell 429, and developing inter-operability with district staff.
"Our successes are due to a great working relationship with our local service provider, Meridian Helicopters, and ensuring all POLAIR deployments are aligned with supporting the district and keeping the Townsville community safe," Chief Inspector Bust said.
POLAIR helicopter statistics for Townsville since 1 October 2024:
• Responded to 1,161 calls for service;
• First QPS asset on scene for 577 jobs;
• Assisted with 15 searches for vulnerable or missing persons;
• Assisted with the arrest of 351 offenders, including 114 young offenders;
• Attended 194 serious domestic violence incidents as a first response capability and involved in containing or locating 124 respondents;
• Responded to 184 stolen vehicle jobs and recovered 74 stolen vehicles.
