Flight Operations

Take a policing career to new heights in our Flight Operations Unit.

Edmonton’s Flight Ops is one of only six full time police helicopter programs in operation within the country and the only municipal program within the country that utilizes sworn members as pilots. This not only gives officers an opportunity to work in a unique position within policing, but also ensures that our pilots and flight crew are as committed to catching offenders as our members on the street. Flight Ops staff commonly refer to themselves as a two member car in the sky.

Features of AIR 1 and AIR 2 include:

• Eurocopter EC120
• FLIR 8000 Camera System (infrared and video)
• MRC Downlink System

The pilot works as part of a two-member team onboard the helicopter with the Tactical Flight Officer who is also a sworn police member. The Flight Operations Unit flies approximately 1,000 hours per year arriving quickly on scene to support patrol operations including:

• Locating suspects 
• Assisting patrol in affecting the arrest safely
• Managing vehicle pursuits safely
• Providing officer safety at traffic stops
• Monitoring erratic or dangerous drivers
• Assisting with containment on Canine type calls
• Assists ground staff in managing large volumes of people and riot type situations

EPS Constables with a minimum of eight years of service can apply for positions as Tactical Flight Officers when there are positions available. Members are encouraged to quarry with the unit and volunteer their time in order to gain first hand experience and determine if they would be a good fit for that position. Members interested in joining Flight Operations Unit as a pilot need to have a valid Helicopter License prior to joining the unit.