Slightly more than a year after a helicopter crash sent the future of the Topeka Police Department’s aviation unit into a tailspin, Police Chief Ron Miller said the program has taken flight again, but only barely.
Since last month, the police helicopter has been in the air for a scant 15 hours — all for test flights. It could be put into service for a major emergency, but not for day-to-day patrol. Key questions remain unresolved.
Specifically, does the Topeka City Council want to pay for a helicopter unit and will a proposed joint aviation operation with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office have the support of the council and the county commission.
As most of you know, I was a big supporter of the helicopter program. But now, I believe it may be time to throw in the towel. Law enforcement in this city hasn't collapsed because the chopper wasn't in the air. And in this time of budget crunches, this may be a luxury we can't afford right now.
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