After over two years since the Ontario government announced the purchase of helicopters for patrolling various regions, Peel Regional Police has now unveiled the first chopper to take flight under this initiative.
At a recent event held at a facility in Caledon, officials proudly introduced the locally-made Airbus H-125 helicopter. This aircraft is set to serve the communities of Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon with patrols commencing later this week.
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah highlighted the capabilities of the new helicopter, emphasizing its ability to stay airborne for up to four hours and reach Lake Ontario in Mississauga from south Caledon in just six minutes.
Duraiappah explained, “This helicopter significantly enhances our operational reach, supplementing the work of our officers on the ground. It enables us to access areas that were previously difficult to reach, ultimately alleviating some of the challenges faced in the GTA.”
The Peel air support unit now boasts a team of 20 pilots, officers, engineers, and technicians dedicated to managing both the helicopter and the fleet of drones. Duraiappah also confirmed that the service will publish an annual report detailing the helicopter’s utilization and impact.
Originally proposed in the 2024 Ontario budget, this particular chopper is one of five designated for police services in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa. The comprehensive helicopter network and its infrastructure are estimated to cost $134 million, with an additional $57 million allocated for expansion to Windsor and the Niagara region by the Ford government a year later.
Prior to the introduction of the Peel region helicopter, York Regional Police and Durham Regional Police were the sole municipal police services in the GTA utilizing helicopters. The new helicopters boast advanced surveillance and aviation technologies, including thermal imaging cameras.
These helicopters are expected to play a crucial role in a myriad of operations, from swift responses to unfolding incidents and stolen vehicle tracking to traffic enforcement, emergency coordination, suspect surveillance, and investigative support.
