First Watch

Queensland Police Helicopter Support Unit is airborne

Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding was fatally shot in the line of duty on the Gold Coast while responding to a report of an armed robbery in May 2011. That tragedy sparked a community outcry that was impetus for the Gold Coast City Council to push for funding for the Queensland Police Service’s South Eastern Region command to trial a surveillance helicopter.

Almost six months to the day from Detective Leeding’s death, Bell 206L LongRanger VH-ZHP, on contract from Heliwest, had arrived on the Gold Coast fitted with a FLIR Systems surveillance camera, an SX-16 Nitesun and police radios. On November 7 2011, ‘Polair 1’ began a six-month trial providing top cover and increasing the situational awareness for QPS officers on theground. The Council contributed $500,000 to operate the helicopter for 15 hours a week across the trial period. Additional funding for the LongRanger’s operations, which would become a familiar sight above the tourist mecca, was generously donated by local businesses.