The State Patrol Flight Section's primary mission is traffic safety and enforcement. Trained trooper pilots with a bird's eye view support troopers on the ground. Pilots can assist with speed enforcement and even mitigate the risk in pursuits leading to safer outcomes. In addition to the traffic safety mission, pilots assist in the search for missing or hiding people, monitor public events and provide emergency transportation for vital blood supplies as needed.
Searches
A search and find mission differs from a search and rescue mission in that the victim does not want to be found. Search and find missions typically take place after a subject flees from law enforcement, whether during a traffic stop or at a crime scene. The air unit helps ground units search for the subject using either a daytime camera or an infrared camera. Pilots can search large areas and difficult terrain more quickly and effectively than ground units. Once a suspicious person is found by the air unit, the crew will communicate the best way for a ground unit to make contact with them.
Traffic details
There are two methods of traffic enforcement using air support. Our traditional speed detail requires one pilot in the air working with troopers on the ground. The detail takes place in a pre-planned location marked for airborne speed enforcement. The markings on the roadway are surveyed, measured and painted by roadway engineers and include a large white strip at quarter-mile increments. The pilot observes the front of the vehicle pass the white marker and starts their stopwatch, which is used through one or more zones to determine the vehicle's speed. The pilot then notifies troopers on the ground to stop the vehicle and the troopers proceed with enforcement.
Another method of traffic enforcement uses technology featured on the Cirrus SR22 aircraft. The crew monitors for driving complaints and surveys local roadways for vehicles that are displaying indicators of reckless, distracted or impaired driving. When the crew locates these vehicles they communicate with troopers on the ground to stop them. The traffic enforcement team typically records the driving behavior to assist prosecutors. Having the aircraft airborne on this type of active patrol allows for a rapid response to pursuit mitigation and assists to other agencies.
Rescue
Rescues are performed using the Bell 407 helicopters. In cooperation with the St. Paul Fire Department, the Minnesota Air Response Team (MART) will assist any public safety agency in rescuing and supporting rescue efforts, including the initial search. When an individual is found who needs assistance, the crew will first attempt to provide directions for ground units to make contact. In the event an air rescue is required, MART will consider everyone's safety to determine which method of rescue is best, including close-quarter landing, hovering or rappelling.
