The Polk County Sheriff’s Office will receive a new $1.9 million helicopter to replace an aging helicopter that will be retired by the agency, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Most missions for the aviation unit are to assist law enforcement units on the ground, typically helping in searches for fugitives or missing persons.
“Our mission is to observe and report because that is what we do,” said Lt. Paul Wright, who oversees several law enforcement units housed at the Bartow Air Base. “We’re here to help patrol, Help the units on the ground by being that eye in the sky.”
Scott Wilder, communications director for PCSO, explained the reason for the new aircraft. “The Robinson R66 helicopter is replacing a helicopter that we are taking out of service.” The former helicopter, a 2014 MD500E, was sold at auction for $2,448,650.
The Polk County Commission approved the sheriff’s request to purchase the new helicopter during its Dec. 6 meeting.
The new aircraft is expected to arrive about Jan. 28, Wright said. The former MD500E, which can cost up to $4 million for a new one, was phased out in Polk in favor of a highly capable and less expensive model.