The Winnipeg Police Service will have its first helicopter in the air by the fall, officials announced Friday. Originally, officials had hoped to have it airborne by the summer.
Manitoba Minister of Justice and Attorney General Andrew Swan and Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz said a funding arrangement had been established and a contract awarded to a manufacturer, following a formal bidding process.
The helicopter, an EC-120B Colibri model, was manufactured in France and is now being outfitted for police work.
Swan said public safety is one of the provincial government's goals.
"We are pleased to contribute to the addition of a police helicopter to the Winnipeg Police Service, addressing a key crime-fighting priority of the City of Winnipeg and the police," Swan said.
Katz said the city will continue to work with the senior levels of government to address justice issues.
"The flight operations unit will be a valuable resource for the Winnipeg Police Service as they serve and protect the citizens of Winnipeg," added Katz.
Winnipeg Police Chief Keith McCaskill thanked the province and the city for the funding and said the helicopter will be a vital part of police operations.
Officials said the police helicopter will increase public safety and the safety of officers.
It will mean faster response times to calls to police and it will assist officers in catching suspects fleeing crime scenes and locating missing people, officials said.
