HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1997.10.23 - 25184MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION # 97230
BY: Frank Millard, Commissioner, District #4, and others
IN RE: Sheriff Department-Helicopter Purchase
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS pursuant to Miscellaneous Resolution #97108, the concept of the establishment of an Aviation
Unit for application to county wide law enforcement purposes having been approved by the Board of Commissioners
and pursuant thereto, the budgetary impact of such a unit having been studied and is now ready for presentment to
the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for its committee review and recommendation, and
WHEREAS the Oakland County Chiefs of Police Association has endorsed the proposal of adding a
Helicopter to the Oakland County Sheriff's Department; and
WHEREAS the Sheriff's Department is the largest Law Enforcement Agency in Oakland County, with
responsibilities in every area and to every segment of this County's population, the purchase and operation of a
helicopter by the Sheriffs Department is the most efficient and cost effective proposal to provide aviation support
services to law enforcement countywide and the taxpayers of Oakland County; and
WHEREAS a Helicopter, properly equipped, working in conjunction with ground patrol units, has been
proven to be effective in a variety of situation which are not routinely available to Oakland County law enforcement
at this time, such as:
1. Keeping fleeing cars in view so that pursuing police vehicles can slow down and follow
from a distance. It is impossible to escape in a ground vehicle once spotted by a
helicopter. This avoids the high speed pursuit with its resulting accidents and injuries.
2. Covering large areas quickly and coordinating ground units from above. Ground units
can be more effectively positioned from the air, thus reducing the number of units necessary to
secure a scene. Acting as an aerial command platform in the event of a major incident.
Overseeing crowd control of major events, such as the Woodward Dream Cruise, or during major
disturbances.
3. Conducting routine and preventive patrol over commercial, residential, and retail
shopping areas, especially at night. Allow a greater number of building checks to be
done in a shorter period of time, freeing up the ground patrol units for other duties.
WHEREAS the addition of a helicopter, as a crime-fighting tool in Oakland County, will without doubt, be
a benefit to our citizens by enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement throughout the county and therefore, the
security of the citizenry in general.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners approves the
purchase of One (1) Helicopter for the Sheriff Department to be used for County wide Law Enforcement purposes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Sheriff Department will be required to fund the personnel portion
of this program, the County to fund the purchase price(estimated at $1.8 million), and operational costs (estimated at
$400,000 per year).
Mr. Chairperson, on behalf of the County Commissioners listed below, we move the adoptio
foregoing resolution. /1
(
Ruel E. McPherson, District #25
Thomas A. Law, District #13
John P. Garfield, Distrje #9 Frank H. Millard, District #4
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Dennis N. Powers, District #10 Dan evine, Jr., tric 14
'awrence A. Obiecht, District #3
Resolution #97230 October 23, 1997
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Public Services Committee
and the Finance and Personnel Committee. There were no objections.