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 conduct diverse missions, including patrols, search-and-rescue, tactical support, and EMS, utilizing both rotor and fixed-wing aircraft, often operated by a pilot and a Tactical Flight Officer (TFO).
- Most ALE crew members are sworn police officers with prior ground patrol experience (typically 3-5 years); pilots generally require at least a commercial license, with some departments training TFOs to become pilots.
- ALE salaries are based on police rank with incentives, but promotions may require leaving the aviation unit; the field is also expanding with the increasing integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
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