Law Enforcement Pilots

[MikeD]

I recommend no badge, name dropping. But if you can put in context when your stopped, the officer might just let you out of it. I have giving a DL pilot a break when I noticed his "ticket" in his wallet. We spoke about that, then he mentioned he is also a pilot in the Air Force, and for sure he was not getting any citation.

Pilot in the AF...he'd definitely be getting a ticket, most especially if an ascot-wearing Eagle/Viper guy. Double the fine there.

 

[Diamnd15]

I left the regionals after a few years and got into law enforcement in the SF Bay Area. NorCal law enforcement jobs all pay 100k plus. There are several local aviation units and they all hire internally expect for those that use civilian pilot, like Santa Clara SO. Others that hire from within and usually trian up are Oakland PD, San Jose PD, and one or two more. Contra costa Co has two choppers flown by deputies. Sonoma Couty has a chopper flown by a civilian. San Mateo county and alameda county have fixed wing units that are flown with civilians/volunteers as well.

I have to say that law enforcement flying is much more rewarding than any other flying I've done.

If you would like more info about getting into law enforcement pm me or check out officer.com

 

[mrivc211]

Just curious if there is anyone on here that flies for a law enforcement agency. Police pilot? Fixed wing?

I went through the police academy prior to getting my ratings. It was always sort of my "plan b". This year my POST certificate would have expired if I did not get a law enforcement job. So, since my flying career hasn't taken off, I decided to apply for police jobs. I got one. The agency has an aviation unit.

So my question(s). Is how tough is it to get in the airplane within an agency? Is there a lot of turn over? If any? I still have my passion for flying and I am still flying part time. However, my law enforcement job pays great. There's no way I could ever give it up to go to a regional (if I ever qualify).

My former student was a cop for Costa Mesa, CA PD. He had been a cop for about 8 years when he met me. He was working on his private and a support guy in the air unit flashing the light on people at that time. A few years later, he got offered a flying job for the helicopter. They paid for all his training, about $80k worth. He makes over $100k, but deals with lots of BS politics.

 

[FlybyLaw]

The politics are politics everywhere. $100K is made in the bay area without overtime and for working half or less than half a month.