The Omaha Police Department (OPD) took delivery of a Bell 505 in February that is now in operation by its Air Support Unit. The OPD marks the ninth municipality in North America to rely on the Bell 505 to support law aerial enforcement operations since the first law enforcement configured Bell 505 delivery to Stockton Police Department in 2019.

“OPD has operated Bell aircraft for 25 years,” says Air Support Unit chief pilot Frank Peck. “In addition to our current fleet, the Bell 505 will add enhanced capabilities, specifically night vision capabilities, performance and safety, while also decreasing direct operator and maintenance cost.”

The Bell 505 combines the latest avionics and engine control technology with a large open cabin that provides panoramic views for all passengers. A fully integrated Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite and dual channel FADEC controlled Safran Arrius 2R engine provide pilots of all skill level with maximised situational awareness and workload reduction to fly successfully in a multitude of scenarios.

“Complete with the latest law enforcement equipment, the Bell 505 will enhance OPD's air support operations,” says Bell managing director, North America Lane Evans. “We continue to see strong demand for the Bell 505 by law enforcement agencies around the globe, and Bell is proud to support this critical mission.”