Emergency? Call 9-1-1
Non-Emergency? Call 1 (866) 876-5423
York Regional Police Field Support is broken into several units falling under Emergency Response and Operational Support, including:
Members of the Air Support Unit can be found more than 500 feet above the heads of York Region residents in the police helicopter, named Air2. The unit includes civilian pilots and tactical flight officers trained in patrol and suspect tactics, airborne surveillance and advanced thermal imaging. The unit supports frontline officers with criminal apprehensions, vehicle pursuits, searches for missing persons, traffic enforcement and—through the use of thermal imaging—identifying indoor cannabis grow operations.
Air2 is a light, single-engine Airbus EC120B. It has a maximum cruising speed of over 200 kilometers per hour and a range of 635 kilometers. Air2 utilizes a Fenestron tail rotor design, making it one of the quietest helicopters in operation today.
Wondering if the Air Support Unit can see through the walls of your house with infrared technology?
Don't fear, infrared technology is non-intrusive and only detects the difference in heat on the nearest surface to the camera. For example, if a person was walking across a field, the person would be displayed as hot, as they are emitting greater amounts of heat than the field he or she is walking on. Further, glass is a reflective surface to infrared technology. Windows appear as a grey shade to the camera operator.
Rest assured, someone walking on the sidewalk outside your home can see inside better than officers in the helicopter possibly could.
When a helicopter is not required, members of the Air Support Unit use remotely piloted aircraft systems. RPAS provide support to YRP units by searching for missing persons, crime scene and collision mapping and video monitoring of prolonged police deployments
The Canine Unit comprises 15 teams consisting of an officer and a Police Service Dog (PSD). Canine Unit members support frontline officers and investigative units by:
Canine Unit members also provide support in the handling and detection of narcotics, cadavers, explosives, firearms and ammunition.
Members of the Emergency Response Unit deal with situations beyond the safe operating limits of frontline officers, including the apprehension of armed or barricaded persons, hostage rescues, crisis intervention and bomb disposal.
The Public Safety Unit is responsible for the deployment of specialized personnel and resources.
The Public Safety Unit is comprised of five key support functions:
Learn more about the Public Safety Unit here.