Picture: QPS Polair
Queensland now has the country’s largest aerial police fleet after the addition of three more POLAIR helicopters to their northern fleet.
Qld Premier Steven Miles announced in a statement that Townsville will get two new permanently-based police helicopters while a third will serve Cairns on a temporary basis.
Townsville-based Meridian Helicopters will deliver the POLAIR aircraft in both cities, which involves a 10-year deal for Townsville.
According to the government, Townsville’s service takes effect from today (October 1) while the Cairns helicopter will take off from mid-October.
Eight specially trained Queensland Police Service (QPS) tactical flight officers will join the Townsville fleet with new aircraft due to replace the two helicopters in 2026.
The extra support will make Queensland’s POLAIR fleet the largest aerial police fleet in the country, Miles says.
“One of my first announcements as premier was a police helicopter for Townsville, and the interim helicopter has already been a massive help to cops on the ground,” Miles says.
“With the addition of a second helicopter for the region, our state will have the largest aerial police fleet in the country.”
Miles says there has been 24 percent drop in youth crime for the first six months of the year in Townsville compared to the same period for last year and a 12 per cent drop in the Far North region, around Cairns
The Townsville POLAIR launch is part of a statewide expansion of the QPS aerial capability with extra services recently announced for the Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay regions.
Townsville MP Scott Stewart says the aircraft are proving their worth.
“We’re seeing the difference the police helicopter is making which is why ensuring there is a permanent presence in Townsville is important,” he says.
Qld Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski says the eight new flight officers is also welcome.
“The addition of eight specially trained Tactical Flight Officers is also a major boost to the region …,” he says.
“Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, such as thermal imaging cameras and advanced mapping capabilities, the helicopters are integral to reducing crime in Townsville, helping local police track stolen vehicles, arrest offenders, locate missing people, and more.”
Meridian Helicopters CEO Geoff Keir says the decision is recognition of their expertise.
“The appointment of Meridian Helicopters as the provider of QPS’s POLAIR capability for the next 10 years recognises our expertise in the field, and importantly, our commitment to the geographical regions of north Queensland,” he says
CAIRNS
Meridian Helicopters was also named the successful contractor for the Far Northern police region (Cairns) ahead of a permanent POLAIR decision.
On board, a pilot, a police camera operator and police observer work together to assist crews on the ground.
The state-of-the-art helicopter will cover Cairns and the Far Northern Region, being able to fly long distances in short periods.
Tourism Minister and MP for Cairns Michael Healy says he has been told first-hand by police “just how much difference a dedicated helicopter makes to police operations”.
“To see that aerial police capability coming to Cairns is very gratifying.”
