The Helicopter Section, Specialized Services Division (SSD),
shall provide aerial support for the Honolulu Police Department
(HPD).
FUNCTION

The Helicopter Section will provide the following special
support operations:

A. Surveillance and photographic missions for operational
planning and the gathering of evidence;

B. Traffic monitoring and reporting;

C. Recovery of stolen vehicles and property in remote
areas;

D. Eradication of marijuana and other illegal drugs;

E. Tactical operations, to include rappelling and other
personnel transport operations;

F. Searches for fleeing suspects;

G. Assistance to the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) in
searches for lost or missing persons; and

H. Any other mission deemed necessary by the Chief of
Police.
ORGANIZATION, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Command

The Helicopter Section is under the command of the SSD
commander and under the direct supervision of an SSD
sergeant.

B. Observers

1. Observers assigned to the Helicopter Section, on
either a permanent or temporary basis, shall be
qualified and commiss·ioned police officers.

2. Observers shall be responsible for all activities
of the helicopter with the exception of the
maintenance and in-flight operation.

3. The observer and assigned pilot shall perform as a
team and shall be accountable to the sergeant in
charge of the Helicopter Section.

C. Pilots

1. Pilots assigned to the Helicopter Section shall be
qualified and accredited helicopter pilots.

2. Helicopter pilots shall not have command
authority over police or civilian personnel
other than that which is necessary for the
safe operation of the helicopter.

3. Pilots shall have complete authority relative to the competent and safe operation of the aircraft. Whenever this authority is questioned, the pilot shall justify such action to the observer or any superior officer.

4. Pilots shall be responsible for the maintenance
and in-flight operation of the helicopter and shall
respond to all directions given by the police observer.

5. Pilots and police observers shall perform as a team
and shall be accountable to the sergeant in charge of
the Helicopter Section.
AIRCRAFT TYPES

A. The Helicopter Section currently has two MD 500E
helicopters in use.

B. The police helicopter does not have rescue
capabilities. It will, at times, be involved in search
activities; however, requests for rescue should be
directed to the HFD.
UTILIZATION OF THE HELICOPTER SECTION

A. Emergency Use

1. Any police officer may request the helicopter by
contacting the Communications Division. The
Communications Division will immediately contact
the helicopter crew, if the helicopter is in
flight, or the officer in charge of the Helicopter
Section.

2. If the Helicopter Section has no one on duty, the
watch commander of the Communications Division
shall be notified and shall contact the SSD
commander. The SSD commander shall be responsible
for contacting the necessary section personnel.

3. When directed to a scene by the police observer,
ground units should respond as instructed. The
police observer shall maintain directional control
of ground units until relieved by a ground unit
supervisor.

B. Routine Requests

1. A request to ride the police helicopter shall be
submitted via e-mail or in writing through the
requestor’s chain of command to the SSD commander.

2. The officer in charge of the Helicopter Section
will coordinate requests from elements desiring
helicopter support.
COMMUNICATION

A. Call Signs

1. When airborne for routine patrol or police-related
activities, the assigned police radio call number
shall be used.

2. When the police helicopters are used for civil
defense, fire department support, or other
activities not involving the police department,
shall be used.

B. Emergency Transmission

1. In the event an emergency arises in flight, the
police observer shall make the following
transmission:

3. When the helicopter is located, the Communications
Division shall immediately be notified of the
location and informed of the situation. The
Communications Division shall then take necessary
actions.
REPORTS

A. The Helicopter Section shall maintain the following
logs:

1. The helicopter maintenance and utilization log
(used to furnish complete information on fuel and
oil consumed, flying hours, and special support
and maintenance problems); and

2. A daily flight time log (used for verifying
qualification time for hazardous duty pay for
police observers).

B. The flight time log shall be filed in the Helicopter
Section. However, copies shall be forwarded to the
Finance Division for the correlation of time periods
with pay periods.

C. All logs shall be reviewed in the preparation of a
monthly report to the Finance Division commander
outlining the operating expenses, flying hours, and
activities of the Helicopter Section.