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.

This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.

Login

Become a Member

To continue reading the rest of this article, please login.

Username or Email

Password Forgot password?

Keep me signed in on this device.

If you check this box before you log in, you won’t have to log back into the website next time you return, even if you close your browser and come back later.

If you check the box above before you log in, you won’t have to log back into the website next time you return, even if you close your browser and come back later.

---

or

---

Login with a Passkey

To unlock all Australian Aviation magazine content and again unlimited access to our daily news and features, become a member today!
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.

PRINT

$49.95 for 1 year Become a Member

See benefits

• Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
• Access to In Focus reports every month on our website

MOST POPULAR

PRINT + DIGITAL

$99.95 for 1 year Become a Member

$179.95 for 2 years Become a Member

See benefits

• Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
• Access to the Australian Aviation app
• Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
• Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
• Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
• Daily news updates via our email bulletin

DIGITAL

$5.99 Monthly Become a Member

$59.95 Annual Become a Member

See benefits

• Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
• Access to the Australian Aviation app
• Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
• Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
• Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
• Daily news updates via our email bulletin

View more offers and details