NARCOTICS BUREAU
DETECTIVE DIVISION
LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
Bureau Order Number : 6-5
Subject: POLICY REGARDING DEPARTMENTAL AIRCRAFT
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Effective Date: |
03/15/2009 |
Last Date Revised: |
10/15/2019 |
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Last Date Reviewed: |
04/01/2021 |
Next Review Date: |
04/01/2022 |
I. POLICY
Departmental aircraft may be utilized in conjunction with routine Sheriff's Department law enforcement activities within Los Angeles County. For the Narcotics Bureau, this involves predominately surveillances and missions in support of marijuana eradication efforts. All requests for aircraft shall be coordinated through the concerned Narcotics Bureau Crew Sergeant. This permits control and coordination of investigative teams and prioritization of operations needing air support.
Aero Bureau policy authorizes pilots conducting a surveillance mission to maintain surveillance within the following counties, not to exceed 100 miles from the nearest Los Angeles County line:
A) Orange County
B) Ventura County
C) Kern County
D) San Bernardino County
E) Riverside County
If the need arises to proceed beyond these parameters, the investigator in charge of the surveillance is responsible for obtaining authorization from the Sheriff, or Assistant Sheriff, via the Detective Division Headquarters. Prior to an air surveillance, the investigator in charge shall discuss his intentions and probabilities of extended surveillance with the air operations supervisor and assigned pilot(s) so that appropriate approvals may be obtained and flight contingencies planned.
In addition to Aero Bureau, the California Army National Guard (CNG) also provides helicopters and pilots in support of surveillance missions. The use of this resource shall also be coordinated by the concerned Narcotics Bureau Crew Sergeant, who may contact the CNG when no support is available from Aero Bureau.
ORIGINAL SIGNED
LOY L. MCBRIDE, CAPTAIN
NARCOTICS BUREAU