At last month’s Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) Expo in Phoenix, Ariz., MD Helicopters brought a brand new MD 500E to sign over to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The new aircraft will join the county’s existing MD 500, which was purchased in October 2013, as well as a fleet of aging Bell OH-58 helicopters that will eventually be transitioned to additional MD 500 aircraft.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office chose the MD500E mainly for its speed, and plans to use it for law enforcement missions including the detection and apprehension of suspects, as well as for the search and rescue of missing persons.
Vertical had the opportunity to catch up with Rob Gray, aviation supervisor for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at ALEA to discuss the capabilities of the new aircraft, as well as the modifications that have been completed on the aircraft prior to this delivery.
