The York Regional Police Services Board has given the green light for a new helicopter.
The force's current police helicopter has been in service since 2002. It's used in criminal pursuits, traffic enforcement, searching for missing persons and more. However, it is scheduled to be replaced in 2022.
The board approved a report from the force to award the contract for the new helicopter to Airbus Helicopters Canada Limited.
YRP accepted bids and proposals for the contract from December through to January and in the end received just one proposal.
Prior to accepting the report about the helicopter contract, members of the board raised some questions about the future chopper.
King Mayor and board member Steve Pelligrini asked about costs, especially when other police services request use of the helicopter to aid in their investigations.
Chief Jim MacSween confirmed other police services who don't have their own helicopter and request use of the YRP chopper are billed.
Pelligrinii was happy to move the report and also said he was glad that it was under budget.
The purchase of a new police helicopter was included in the 2022 capital budget with funds of $7.05 million approved for the purchase.
The contract with Airbus Helicopters Canada Limited is for a total cost of $6,275,754 plus H.S.T.
In their first meeting of the year the police services board also was tasked with electing a new chair and co-chair to serve for 2022.
Mayor Maurizo Bevilacqua of Vaughan was re-elected for the position of chair, without any contest from other members.
"I want to obviously express my gratitude to the board for the vote of confidence," he said.
York Region Chair and CEO Wayne Emmerson was elected as vice-chair for the year. Bevilacqua congratulated him on his role and said he looks forward to serving in 2022.
"I look forward to the year. This should be another great year for the police services board as we move forward," he said.
