New surveillance aircraft an ‘outstanding’ addition to the RPS, Bray says

Representatives of the Regina Police Service (RPS) Aerial Support Unit are expected to make a presentation on the RPS Surveillance Aircraft at Wednesday’s executive committee meeting.

Police Chief Evan Bray told reporters after a Board of Police Commissioners meeting on Tuesday he believes the surveillance plane has been an “outstanding” addition to the RPS.

“It’s really given us … an efficiency with how we’re able to handle in-progress crime,” Bray said.

The police chief added he thinks the plane gives the RPS a “guarantee” an arrest will be made.

“I think we’ve had 100 per cent success in making arrests when the plane is in the air because our ground units can back off, the person (who’s) driving will drive normally and when they stop their vehicle, we’re able to stop in and make the arrest,” he said.

Bray also said once an arrest is made using the surveillance plane, officers save hours upon hours because an investigative follow-up is not required.

“(That’s) because of the fact that the plane is able to identify that person and we’re able to make an arrest that same day, usually within minutes of the incident happening,” he added.

Bray said he doesn’t think the plane has been used long enough to determine whether it has had a significant impact on crime statistics.

“If the plane is able to assist us in swiftly holding an offender accountable, those officers are spending less time on those investigations and more time in the community doing that proactive work, so that’s where the tangible benefit is,” he added.

“After one full year with that air support unit under our belt, I think (there are) going to be some impressive statistics.”