The Alabama Department of Public Savety Air Unit is based out of the Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) in Montgomery Alabama.  According to the department's website the unit was first formed in 1973. 

"In 1973 the Department received a Cessna T-41 single engine aircraft through State Department of Civil Defense. In August 1974, the Department acquired two Bell 47 helicopters. Four more model 47's were added in 1975. The aviation Unit was officially formed in June of 1975. Through the years, troopers have utilized a variety of aircraft. All but four of the current aircraft are either government surplus or were confiscated in drug cases."

Every pilot in the aviation unit is a sworn State Trooper with a minimum of 3 years in the Highway Patrol Division before being qualified for transfer into the unit.  Also, each pilot must stay current and is qualified to fly all aircraft in inventory of which there are several different types and airframes. 

Presently the Alabama Department of Public Safety operates the following aircraft; 

7 Bell OH58, 1 Bell 206l, 1 Bell 407 helicopter, 3 Cessna 182 fixed wing, 1 Piper PA-31, 1 Beech B200 airplane. 

Alabama DPS Aviation Unit missions include marijuana eradication, narcotics surveillance, traffic speed enforcement, missing person or man hunts, prisoner transports, law enforcement related executive protection flights, photo, and investigative flights.

The Cullman City Alabama Police Department operates two Bell OH58 helicopters on a call out basis available 24 hours a day. 

The following information is from the Cullman City Police Department's Website; 

"The Aviation unit is on call 24 hours a day, seven days per week, to assist our officers as well as other local agencies and agencies from surrounding counties.  Requests for assistance range from public service program demonstrations to marijuana eradication, search and arrest warrants, missing persons cases, search for escapees, high speed pursuits, storm damage assessments, traffic flow assessments, aerial recognizance and surveillance for criminal and narcotic investigations, assisting Tactical Team, and search and rescue operations.  Last year, this unit responded to over 150 calls for service."

You can visit the Cullman City Police Website here, and look for their helicopter under the Patrol Division.

The Dale County Sheriff's Office has had an aviation unit since the 1980s.  In 2002 however they received their firs Bell OH58 helicopter from the US Department Of Defense.  The OH58 is the military version of the most popular civilian helicopter ever, the Bell Jet Ranger. 

The Dale County Sheriff's Aviation Unit has approximately 6 members, 2 of which are aircraft mechanics.  The unit operates a total of 3 Bell OH58s. 

According to the Dale County Sheriff's website, their primary mission is to "assist in search and rescue operations and counter-drug operations and is available to neighboring law enforcement agencies. The unit is also used to locate missing persons and aid in emergency situations."

Dale County Alabama is located in the south eastern part of the state just a short drive from both Florida and Georgia. 

The Etowah County Sheriff's Office operates 1 Bell OH58 helicopter, and 1 Cessna 172 fixed wing aircraft.  The department took possession of the Bell Helicopter in January of 07, through the DOD.

According to the Etowah Sheriff's website, their aviation unit;

"Provides aerial support to the law enforcement mission of the ECSO. Consisting of a Bell OH-58 Helicopter and a C-172 Fixed wing airplane, pilots are able to quickly respond to remote areas of the county to assist in search and rescue, surveillance and other related law enforcement activities."

The Etowah County Sheriff's helicopter flies out of the Northeastern Alabama Regional Airport in Gadsden Al. 

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, headquartered in Birmingham Alabama, operates two Bell OH58 helicopters.  The unit was first established on November 19th 2003 by Sheriff Mike Hale.  At the time Jefferson County was one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Country without aerial law enforcement capabilities.

In July of 2004 The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office took possession of two non flyable Bell OH58 helicopters from Fort Rucker through the Department Of Defense 1033 excess property to law enforcement agencies program. 

In 2005 the unit received $210,000 from the Department of Homeland Security and in early 2006 they received a $100,000 Technology Grant to upgrade the helicopter(s).  On May 3rd 3006 Pemco Aeroplex Inc. based at Birmingham International Airport, delivered "Star 1" to the department after a full external restoration. 

The primary mission of the Jefferson County Air Support Unit is to;

"Enhance county wide officer and public safety by providing effective aerial support to Jefferson County Law Enforcement Agencies and to enhance the effectiveness of federal, state, and local law enforcement units by providing airborne surveillance, drug eradication, observation and reporting of criminal activity."

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Aviation Unit is supported by approximately 25 Deputy Sheriff Reserve Volunteers. 

The Limestone County Alabama Sheriff's Office operates a single Bell OH58 government surplus helicopter primarily flown by Deputy Pilot Dean Murray. 

The helicopter was obtained at no cost to the taxpayers on Limestone County, and is at least partially funded by an annual Sheriff's Rodeo. 

The helicopter is primarily used for search and rescue and other specialized missions. 

You can view photos of the Limestone Co. Sheriff's Helicopter on the Sheriff's website.  Look for their helicopter under "Special Response Services- Air Support & Rescue."

The Morgan County Sheriff's Office headquartered in Decatur Al, operates a single Bell OH58 Helicopter primarily flown by Chief Pilot Danny McDaniel. 

According to the Morgan County Sheriff website, the helicopter is used for a variety of missions including surveillance, marijuana eradication, missing person searches and criminal investigations.  The helicopter is equipped with both a Night Sun and FLIR camera along with the capabilities of recording anything viewed on the camera. 

The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Aviation Unit is a full service, fully equipped law enforcement air unit operating two Bell OH58 helicopters.  The unit is staffed by four deputy pilots, and three tactical flight officers. 

The Tuscaloosa Sheriff's Air Unit was first formed in 2000 and goes by the name E.A.G.L.E. which is an acronym for Effective Air Ground Law Enforcement.

Like most law enforcement air support units, the helicopters are used in a variety of missions to include; surveillance, patrol, search and rescue, and to assist in court case preparation. 

Unlike, some military surplus helicopters, the Tuscaloosa Sheriff's Aviation Unit helicopters are fully outfitted to include; moving map system, FLIR camera, MDT- Mobile Data Terminal, and full night vision goggle compatibility. 

Visit the Tuscaloosa Sheriff's Aviation Unit website here.

The Tuscaloosa Alabama Police Department operates Bell OH58 helicopters, the military version of the Bell Jet Ranger. 

Tuscaloosa PD's helicopters are equipped with FLIR Cameras for maximum effectiveness during night patrols. 

In addition to routine patrol the air unit puts special emphasis on lake patrol, and patrolling shopping malls during peak holiday season to discourage crime. 

The Alaska Department of Public Safety Aircraft Section is not your typical Police Aviation Unit by any means. 

First the Alaska Department of Public Safety divides it's troopers into two categories, State Troopers and Wildlife Troopers.  Together the two divisions operate a whopping 43 state owned aircraft all of which fall under the responsibility of the "Aircraft Section."

The Aircraft Section is responsible for not only the maintenance of all state owned aircraft but also the recurrent training and check rides for all DPS pilots. 

Presently the Alaska DPS operates the following aircraft;

2- Cessna 208 fixed wing.

2- Beech B200 fixed wing airplanes.

1- Cessna 206.

22- Piper PA-18 aircraft.

12 Cessna 185 aircraft.

1- Eurocopter AS350 helicopter.

3- Robinson R44 helicopters.

With it's 586,000 square miles of rugged land mass, and 36,000 miles of shore line, coupled with few roads and remote law enforcement outpost, many Alaska Troopers must be proficient pilots simply to patrol their areas of responsibility.  

Perhaps you have caught a recent episode of "Alaska State Troopers" on the National Geographic Channel.

Visit the Police Helicopter Pilot.com picture gallery for more photos of Alaska State Troopers Helicopters.