Toronto will have to wait another 12-18 months for its own police chopper.
That was confirmed by Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw at a news conference at Downsview Airport on Friday.
“As we move forward through the procurement process, that the OPP is managing, for a new helicopter that will arrive, we expect, anywhere from 12 to 18 months from now,” the city’s top cop said.
“But in the meantime, we have a commitment from the Ontario Provincial Police to assist us in some of the investigations and needs with have with air support in a timely way,” Demkiw added.
The Chief was appreciative of the OPP allowing Toronto Police, which will eventually have five dedicated officers for its chopper unit funded by the province, to use the OPP helicopter as recently as Oct. 7 during the monitoring of “multiple events across the city attended by thousands of people.”
“A helicopter will help us get even more guns, and the criminals who use them, off our streets,” Demkiw said.
“A helicopter will help us apprehend those who are breaking into homes and stealing cars,” he explained. “A helicopter will help us find missing and vulnerable persons. In short, a helicopter will help us fight crime in our city and save lives.”
Demkiw said having a helicopter allows police to respond quickly and effectively to incidents such as gun crimes, home invasions, car jackings, robberies, natural disasters and missing persons with minimal impact on the public.
The new Airbus H135 helicopter is part of a previously announced $134 million investment by the Ontario government to purchase five new police helicopters for use in the GTA and Ottawa region.
Demkiw was joined at the news conference by Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, Ontario Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform Graham McGregor, Scarborough Centre MPP David Smith, and Toronto Police Service Board Vice-Chair Lisa Kostakis.