Law enforcement helicopters quickly become a familiar presence in the communities they serve — and a good-looking livery can do much to raise an aviation unit’s profile. Many airborne law enforcement (ALE) units have taken this to heart, designing unique paint schemes for their aircraft that are instantly recognizable to the “good guys” and “bad guys” alike.
In time for the Airborne Law Enforcement Association Expo 2015 — July 13 to 18 in Houston, Texas — we decided to recognize some of the world’s best-looking law enforcement helicopters. We started in late May, when we asked readers to nominate their favorite ALE liveries by submitting photos via email, through our Facebook page (facebook.com/verticalmag) or on Instagram (using the hashtag #VerticalALE).
From among the dozens of submissions we received, we selected 15 finalists, which we posted online at www.verticalmag.com for public voting. Here are the results of that vote, with the top 10 paint schemes listed in order of popularity.
As great as these aircraft look on the outside, however, it’s what’s inside that counts. Our respect and appreciation go out to all of those ALE crews who have dedicated their lives and careers to keeping their communities safe — thank you for being our eyes in the sky.
1. Puerto Rico Police Department | Bell 429
Sheldon Cohen Photo
When we tallied up the votes, the striking black paint scheme on this Puerto Rico Police Department Bell 429 was the clear winner of our contest.
The department operates Bell 429s as well as similarly painted Bell 407s through its Fuerzas Unidas de Rápida Acción (FURA) bureau (or “Joint Forces of Rapid Action” in English).
2. San Antonio Police Department | Airbus Helicopters H120 (EC120)
Jay Miller Photo
San Antonio Police Department helicopter mechanic Nathan Cross designed this paint scheme for the unit’s Airbus Helicopters EC120B (now H120) aircraft, which were delivered in March 2014. The design echoes the helicopters’ “Eagle” call signs and the eagle in the unit’s patch. Historically, the unit’s aircraft registrations have incorporated senior officers’ badge numbers and initials; however, N573AG honors the unit’s helicopter maintenance supervisor, Adam Garcia, who nominated the paint scheme for our contest.
3. Maryland State Police | Agustawestland AW139
Maryland State Police Photo
The distinctive paint scheme on this Maryland State Police AgustaWestland AW139 incorporates the Maryland state flag (which bears the arms of the Calvert and Crossland families, in honor of Maryland’s founders). The aircraft is one of 10 AW139s recently acquired by the Maryland State Police Aviation Command, which provides law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and medevac services throughout the state.
4. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department | Airbus Helicopters AS350 B2
Skip Robinson Photo
There’s no mistaking the green, gold, and yellow paint scheme on this Airbus Helicopters AS350 B2, one of 15 patrol aircraft operated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Aero Bureau. The same livery on a larger scale adorns the LASD’s Airbus Helicopters AS332 L1 Super Pumas, which are used in the Aero Bureau’s rescue program.
5. Calgary Police Service | Airbus Helicopters H120 (E120)
Mike Reyno Photo
The Calgary Police Service was the first municipal police agency in Canada to have a full-time patrol helicopter program, launching its Helicopter Air Watch for Community Safety (HAWCS) in 1995. Today, its two distinctively painted H120 (formerly EC120) aircraft have become familiar sights in the skies over Alberta’s largest city.
6. Queensland Police Service | Airbus Helicopters Bo.105 CBS-5
Queensland Police Service Photo
The Queensland Police Service’s (QPS’s) “Polair 2,” VH-NVK, is one of two Bo.105 CBS-5s owned and operated by Surf Life Saving Queensland under contract to the QPS Helicopter Support Unit. Originally an ex-German Police machine, Polair 2 commenced operations with QPS last July and flies as an aerial surveillance platform for overt and covert police missions across southeastern Queensland.
7. New York Police Department | Bell 429
Sheldon Cohen Photo
This great-looking Bell 429 is one of four recently acquired by the New York Police Department (NYPD) Aviation Unit, which has flown a host of different aircraft types since its founding in 1929. Its relationship with Bell Helicopter stretches back to 1948, when the unit acquired a Bell 47 — the first Bell helicopter to be used as part of a law enforcement team.
8. Los Angeles Police Department | Airbus Helicopters AS350 B2
Skip Robinson Photo
Founded with one helicopter in 1956, the Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Division (ASD) has grown to become the largest municipal airborne law enforcement operation in the world. The ASD’s latest paint scheme echoes the classic black-and-white of the department’s patrol cars.
9.  Prince George’s County Police Department | MD Helicopters MD 520N
Prince George’s County Photo
Founded in 2000, the Prince George’s County (Maryland) Police Department Helicopter Unit operates two MD 520Ns. Cpl. Michael Kane nominated their livery for our contest, explaining, “After 13 years of waxing and cleaning the old paint job, it started showing signs of wear. Our unit designed a new paint scheme. After the helicopters were painted, our department said that they liked the new design so much they decided to base a new cruiser paint design on our helicopter.”
10. Georgia State Patrol | Bell 429
Dean Wingard Photo
The Georgia State Patrol Aviation Division acquired its primary fleet of Bell 407 helicopters on the used market, retaining their previous owners’ paint schemes for the sake of economy. Last year, however, the unit was able to order this sharp-looking 429 new from Bell Helicopter. The aircraft will sup- port the Aviation Division’s wide range of missions, including surveillance, search-and-rescue, and support of ground personnel.