In my tenure as an officer in charge (OIC) for a regional program in Southern California, I quickly learned that politics is often the most challenging issue. If your agency is considering the prospect of an airborne law enforcement (ALE) startup, begin by communicating with your law enforcement organization and get your personnel to embrace the vision. Remember, some agencies have former military pilots that can be very helpful with educating their colleagues on the benefits of an air platform.
Secondly, begin to educate your active community members about how an air unit can become a cost-effective crime fighting tool, force multiplier, and multi-faceted platform for emergency services. The Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) has some very compelling articles that explain why air assets are a necessity for law enforcement.1
These articles are
easily accessible to ALEA members, so if you need access to such resources, just ask. Most ALEA members are enthusiastic proponents of airborne assets and can provide valuable input on the benefits of such a program.
Last, but certainly not least, educate your elected officials on the need for an air unit. As law enforcement agencies reduce their workforce, air assets can prove to be force multipliers that significantly increase apprehensions of criminals, and
Aviation units flying aging surplus military aircraft, like this OH-58, are prime candidates for leasing programs.
some studies have shown lower crime rates.2
When it comes to civil unrest
demonstrations and police pursuits, air assets are instrumental in command and control platforms. An effective method of enlightening decision-makers is to contact neighboring agencies with air assets and see if you can get members of the legislative body up for a ride-along.
One item that is often overlooked is cost savings. For example, if the air asset responds to a call and is first on the scene (which is very common) the airborne unit is often best positioned to establish the probable cause for an arrest. That alone can greatly reduce the workload and requirements for follow-up investigation. Often an arrest leads to solving additional crimes and further reduces investigators’ time spent, enabling them to focus on other cases. These are hard dollars that cannot be easily quantified, but nevertheless result in real value, both in terms of efficiency and also in maintaining public safety.
LEASING SOLUTIONS
So now that you have done your due diligence and research, how will you fund the aircraft? Unless your agency is flush with cash, identifying a funding solution will quickly become your biggest challenge.
Several years ago the Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department had the wisdom to replace their aging fleet by leasing new aircraft. Leasing is an affordable way to acquire new aircraft and keep budgets flat for the term of the lease. Much like an automotive lease, it requires a minimal downpayment, affordable monthly payments, and the equipment being returned at the end of the term. This type of lease is known as an operating lease.
Another type of lease is a capital lease. The main difference between an operating lease and a capital lease is that a capital lease has the agency owning the asset at the end of the lease. This can present the problem of disposing of aircraft desired for an upgrade. So this lease method of financing may be better suited for other types of municipal assets, such as fire equipment. In essence, a capital lease functions more like a purchase with a loan or municipal bond financing source.
Both leasing methods can be tailored to include everything from routine maintenance to major component overhauls. They can also be structured in such a way that the asset is delivered fully equipped for the specific mission needs of the agency.
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May/June 2016
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