Watch above: The EPS chief was the one being questioned today as the push for a new police helicopter was part of budget deliberations. Vinesh Pratap reports.
EDMONTON — Budget deliberations continued at City Hall Thursday, where there was much debate over the future of the Edmonton Police Service’s helicopter program.
There are currently two single-engine helicopters in the fleet, one of which is nearing the end of its lifespan. As a result, Police Chief Rod Knecht has asked council for funds to purchase a $7.2 million twin-engine helicopter.
“I understand that money is tight and city council has a lot of priorities,” said Knecht.
Since the closure of the City Centre Airport, both choppers have been based in Villeneuve. With its vertical take-off capabilities, Knecht says the twin-engine model is the best option in the long-term.
“What we wanted, and some of the direction we were given, was to get the helicopter back in the city, and that comes at a cost, obviously,” said Knectht. “The cost is that vertical take-off and there’s only one option that can do that – that’s a twin helicopter.”
But, because money is an issue, councillor Dave Loken floated the idea of buying a single-engine model. It’s the option Mayor Don Iveson believes council will ultimately approve.
“It sounds like there’s zero appetite on our council to buy a military grade, EC-135 twin-engine helicopter. It’s a real nice piece of equipment, but it is more than Edmonton needs,” said Iveson.
“It’s the Cadillac option and I told the chief this is not a Cadillac budget.”
The cost of a single-engine model is about $4.1 million and the operating costs are lower than the twin-engine model.
“Really, for that price, we can replace both choppers for less than the cost of the big, heavy twin-engine.”
In addition, Iveson says the single-engine model being considered is similar to the model used by RCMP, and the city could save on costs by sharing resources at the Edmonton International Airport.
“I think the direction council will go, my guess, is to authorize the purchase of an AS-350 single-engine, but heavier duty.”
Knecht believes the EPS could get just shy of $1 million for one of its choppers and just over $1 million for the other. The money made from the sales would be put toward the purchase of the new chopper.
The helicopter program has been in place since 2001. The EPS says it’s led to 3,000 arrests.
City Council will make its decision early next week.
With files from Vinesh Pratap, Global News.
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