The Alameda County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit has signed a purchase agreement with Bell for a public safety configured Bell 505 Jet Ranger X.

“We are proud to add the Bell 505 as the first Alameda County Sheriff's Office owned helicopter and expand our aerial operations in Alameda County and adjoining counties where mutual aid is frequently requested,” says Derrick Hesselein, captain, Alameda County Sheriff's Office. “The Bell 505 has proven essential in missions ranging from search and rescue to transportation of Sheriff's Office personnel, to law enforcement-related activities. The aircraft will also allow Sheriff's Office members to quickly respond during natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires or flooding and provide aid where needed.”

B505 and B429 programme manager LaShan Bonaparte adds: “Global municipalities are expanding their public safety capabilities by adding aerial operations to their mission portfolio. Bell recognised the need to develop and manufacture a public safety configured Bell 505 with the latest technology equipment on board to support these missions. The Bell 505's economic operational cost make it the best-in-class aircraft to support law enforcement personnel and the public safety of citizens around the world.”

With a speed of 125 kts and useful load of 1,500 pounds, the Bell 505 is designed to be safe and easy to fly while providing significant value to the operator.