New POLAIR fleet takes to the sky with official launch of Bell 429 helicopters

• Three new Bell 429 helicopters have officially been launched by POLAIR Queensland
• The POLAIR fleet has grown from two to three helicopters in south east Queensland, which ultimately increases availability and flying hours
• The new aerial fleet has vastly improved safety technology, camera, and night vision capabilities

POLAIR has entered a new chapter in the Queensland Police Service’s (QPS) history with the operational launch of three new Bell 429 aircraft.

Police Minister Mark Ryan, Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski, Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers, and Queensland Police Commissioned Officers Union president Kerry Johnson attended the launch celebration at Archerfield today, which included the blessing of the aircraft.

The new aircraft officially became operational last month, with the Bell 429 fleet now servicing the southeast Queensland community.

Increasing southeast Queensland’s POLAIR fleet from two to three helicopters provides a significant boost for the QPS’ aerial capabilities, including increased patrol opportunities across the region.

The new aircraft are also fitted out with vastly improved safety technology, camera, and night vision capabilities, which assists officers’ crime fighting capabilities and responses to critical incidents.

It also helps police track vehicles, arrest offenders and locate missing persons, with the overall aim of improving community safety.

But the new police aerial assets are just the beginning of the QPS aerial capability expansion across the state.

Funding has already been announced by the State Government to expand the POLAIR capability to Townsville, and to provide police aerial support to Cairns/Far North and the Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay regions.

The initial interim police aerial capability for Townsville is already operational and a tender process is underway to make this a permanent POLAIR capability.

Tender processes are also underway for the initial interim police aerial capability in each of the Cairns/Far North and Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay regions. 

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“Every Queenslander deserves to be safe and feel safe and I know these choppers, with their improved capabilities, will bring great comfort to our communities.

“I am confident that growing our fleet of aerial assets here in the southeast will help police catch more criminals and keep Queenslanders safe.”

Quotes attributable to Police Minister Mark Ryan:

“These new eyes-in-the-sky will provide incredible operational support to the ground crews across the southeast, particularly during the apprehension of offenders.

“Not only that, but the State Government’s overall investment in POLAIR’s expansion will go a long way towards improving community safety across Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski:

“The fleet’s improved safety technology, camera, and night vision capabilities will significantly enhance police operations and support ground-based personnel.

“Having an aerial advantage when responding to critical incidents helps to keep the community and our frontline safe.”

Quotes attributable to QPUE President Ian Leavers:

“As a co-founder of POLAIR, I am proud to see the continued expansion, enhancement and improvement in the unit’s capabilities since its establishment over a decade ago.

“The overwatch and safety POLAIR provides for all frontline police makes our first responders a potent force detaining offenders and providing community security. I look forward to the further expansion of POLAIR into other Regional areas across Queensland over the next few months.”

FAST FACTS:

• Three new SEQ POLAIR helicopters officially became operational in July 2024.
• 2024-25 Queensland State Budget allocates $124.6 million for SEQ POLAIR capability as part of a ten-year funding arrangement.
• 2024-25 Queensland State Budget also provides additional funding to support a 20 percent increase in additional flight hours for the SEQ POLAIR capability.
• The respective tender processes for the permanent POLAIR capability in Townsville, and the new police aerial capabilities Cairns/Far North and Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay are currently being progressed through full and proper government procurement processes and are subject to strict probity oversight to ensure the best outcomes for taxpayers and community safety.

ENDS

This statement replaces the statement which was posted at 1:40pm Monday 5^th August 2024.