Airborne law enforcement (ALE) officers work within police and other agencies’ aviation units, using aircraft to conduct and assist operations, ranging from routine patrols to search-and-rescue (SAR). The Department of Justice estimates about 350 of the 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the U.S. use airborne assets daily, but many don’t disclose aircraft and personnel numbers for security reasons. Daniel Schwarzbach, a senior officer and helicopter pilot with the Houston Police Department, and executive director/CEO of the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA), explains the path to these exciting careers.
How to Become an Airborne Law Enforcement Officer
Key Takeaways:
- Airborne Law Enforcement (ALE) units assist police operations using various aircraft for missions such as patrols, search-and-rescue, ground support, and even firefighting, typically with a pilot and a Tactical Flight Officer.
- Most ALE crew members are sworn police officers, often requiring 3-5 years of prior ground patrol, and pilots usually hold at least a commercial license for their aircraft category.
- Some departments provide pilot training to qualified officers in exchange for a service commitment, and the field is evolving with the growing integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
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