By Gary McKinnon

Red Deer Mounties welcome RCMP helicopter this summer

Jun 8, 2017 | 6:31 AM

RED DEER- The presence of the Alberta RCMP helicopter in the skies above Red Deer often prompts curiosity.

While the helicopter does get called in for specific situations, it also visits Red Deer and area when it’s free in support of day-to-day policing.

The pilots can keep an eye out for suspicious activity, help RCMP officers on the ground in tracking stolen vehicles and pinpointing suspects who attempt to flee police.

“The helicopter is a great tool for everyday policing,” says Superintendent Ken Foster. “It offers us fantastic aerial views into treed or secluded areas that are more difficult to explore from the ground, and it’s invaluable for tracking stolen vehicles that attempt to flee police.”

The RCMP helicopter has the call sign MPP and is known as Mike Papa Papa, which is how its call sign letters are verbally identified in the RCMP’s phonetic alphabet.

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“While the presence of the helicopter means some noise comes along with it, most Red Deerians are glad whenever they see Mike Papa Papa in the city because of the success it has in shining a spotlight on criminal behaviour,” Foster says. “The helicopter has played a part in a number of successful arrests in Red Deer over the years, and we continue to welcome its presence in Red Deer as availability permits, as part of the consistent pressure we’re applying to property crimes and those prolific offenders who are responsible for much of it.”

(Gary McKinnon)

by Gary McKinnon

Red Deer Mounties welcome RCMP helicopter this summer

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