New national police air service

A new National Police Air Service is set to provide a more efficient and accessible air support service throughout England and Wales that offers better value for money.

Responding to the findings of a comprehensive review commissioned in 2009, ACPO members have approved the central recommendation to replace the current air support system with a service organised nationally, but delivered locally.

The Government has expressed a commitment to establishing
the National Police Air Service (NPAS) by April 2012. An ACPO-led project team has been supported by the National Police
Improvement Agency to develop an implementation plan for this
national service.

In difficult financial times, the NPAS illustrates how the Police
Service is proactively moving towards a national, co-ordinated
way of working.

The new service will work collaboratively to provide capability
from the air that maximises the delivery of front-line public services, but with a lower cost than services procured and managed on a local basis. The proposed model predicts a saving of an estimated£15.27m (22.8%) over current provision.

Head of the NPAS, Chief Constable Alex Marshall, said:
“This is not merely a cost-saving exercise.

“While the current service is capable of doing its day job,
artificial boundaries have meant that helicopters are restricted to operating within their own force area. A national, borderless service will ensure effective coverage of urban and rural areas.”

Acting Chief Executive of the NPIA, Deputy Chief Constable
Nick Gargan, said: “This will be a truly national policing service
that will be at the heart of improving public safety.

“The NPIA has played a substantial role in helping to set up
the service, which will bring operational efficiencies and allow
for the introduction of innovative contracts that offer better value for money for the service and the taxpayer.”

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