The Fulton County Police department’s helicopter is an excellent tool that is put to many different uses in South Fulton County. The helicopter can search large areas faster and more efficiently than officers on the ground which allows for more efficient use of ground based resources.   It is often used in assisting officers on the ground with searching for missing endangered persons such as Alzheimer’s patients and missing children.  The helicopter is also used to help search for and track suspects on foot until officers on the ground can capture them.  In addition, the helicopter can reduce the need for police pursuits, following a suspect vehicle without the need for police vehicles to remain in close contact.  Since the helicopter is in the air, it’s crew can offer advice to officers on the ground about upcoming road hazards, good locations to stop and contain the suspect vehicle and still be in an excellent position to track suspects should they run from the vehicle.

Some recent examples of it use are:

October 30, 2009 it was used in the Camp Creek Parkway/Campbellton Road area to search for and assist in the safe recovery of a missing elderly Alzheimer’s patient who was lost in the woods at night.