The Fort Worth Police Department in Texas has taken delivery of a second Bell 505. Its Air Support Unit has operated a series of Bell aircraft since 1968, including Bell 47s and Bell 206 Jet Rangers. In 2021, the Department accepted delivery of its first Bell 505. The addition of a second to the fleet further enhances the operational performance of the police department and plays a vital role in supporting versatile missions across the city.

“The Fort Worth Police Department’s new Bell helicopter will be an outstanding addition to our Air Support Unit and a testament to our ongoing commitment to public safety,” says Chief Eddie Garcia, Fort Worth Police Department. “This aircraft’s advanced technology enhances our ability to keep officers on the ground safe. It also gives us the ability to respond swiftly and effectively, keeping Fort Worth residents safe as well. We’re proud to continue our partnership with Bell, a company that exemplifies innovation and excellence right here in our own community.”

“All of us at Bell value our long-standing relationships with the city of Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Police Department, and we are proud to be a partner in supporting the city’s public safety initiatives and advancing the department’s impact with this added capability,” says Danny Maldonado, chief commercial officer and incoming Bell CEO. “Nearly 75 years after Bell’s move to Fort Worth, this city remains home for us, and we look forward to seeing this new aircraft serve the citizens of Fort Worth.”

In 1951, Lawrence D Bell broke ground in Fort Worth on Bell Aircraft Corporation's helicopter division, to be called Bell Helicopter. Almost 75 years later, Bell has completed several consolidation and modernisation efforts and established new facilities in Fort Worth to support advanced manufacturing operations. With about 4,600 employees in north Texas, Bell continues to bring long-term economic growth and highly skilled jobs to the region.

“We take so much pride in the city of Fort Worth’s strong, lasting partnership with Bell, and it’s fitting that today we are celebrating the delivery of the top-tier Bell 505 helicopter to one of the best police departments in the nation,” says Fort Worth mayor Mattie Parker. “This new addition to the Fort Worth Police Department will ensure officers have the advanced capabilities, safety enhancements and operational reach they need to serve and protect our community with even greater efficiency and urgency.”