- Jul 30, 2024
OPP Association Statement on Ontario Government Announcement of Funding for Helicopters
The OPP Association welcomes the Ontario Government announcement July 29, 2024 of $134M to purchase five new police helicopters, two of which will be purchased, operated and maintained by the OPP to assist Toronto Police Service and Ottawa Police Service.
Our Members at OPP Aviation Services proudly fly both rotary and fixed wing aircraft, and play a crucial role for maintaining public safety, with our Members policing over 1 million square kilometres throughout Ontario.
The additional three helicopters named at the announcement will be purchased, operated and maintained by the Halton Regional Police, Peel Regional Police and the Durham Regional Police Services.
OPP Association President John Cerasuolo states: “The OPP Association supports the additional purchase of helicopters that will increase the capacity of police services to deliver safe, timely and effective policing throughout Ontario. We are grateful to our OPP pilots, mechanics and OPP Aviation support staff for the valuable work they perform each and every day to assist in investigations, locate missing and vulnerable persons and transport equipment, personnel and persons in custody. We look forward to supporting additional staff to manage the increase to the fleet leading up to the delivery of the new helicopters in 2026.”
For more information read the Ontario Government press release “Ontario Fighting Auto Theft and Organized Crime With Expanded New Joint Air Support Unit – New Helicopters will help prevent violent carjackings in Ottawa and the Greater Toronto Area”.