Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

From the Front Line: The Lived-Reality of Police Helicopter Operations

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Science Informed Policing

  • 530 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter, based on interviews with National Police Air Service (NPAS) pilots and tactical flight officers, reveals the lived reality of police helicopter operations in England and Wales, from witnessing acts of extreme violence (such as a beheading in north London) to searching for the remains of bodies atomised by locomotive impacts. Highly professional in their outlook and behaviour, the men and women of the NPAS push themselves and their equipment to the limit in their quest to safeguard the public and apprehend criminals. Interviewees claimed a link between teamwork-training and performance. Teamwork-training – known in aviation as crew resource management – was universally praised. It is recommended that the police service urgently considers the introduction of teamwork training for all officers. The police service is starved of resources. The NPAS needs better equipment – longer-ranged, more capable helicopters with state-of-the-art sensors and communications equipment and protection from small-arms fire. The State’s primary mission is to ensure the safety and security of its citizens. As a matter of urgency, the government should divert monies from health-care and education to the police service. Integrity and courage should be recognised and rewarded.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Argyris, C. (1976). Increasing leadership effectiveness. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, M. (1996). A handbook of personnel management practice. London: Kogan Page.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrett, D. H., Resnick, H. S., Foy, D. W., Dansky, B. S., Flanders, W. D., & Stroup, N. E. (1996). Combat exposure and adult psychosocial adjustment among US Army veterans serving in Vietnam, 1965–1971. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 105(4), 575–581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, S. A. (2010). A longitudinal ethnographic study of night freight pilots. Journal of Risk Research, 13(6), 701–730.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, S. A. (2017). Aviation’s Normal Operations Safety Audit: A safety management and educational tool for health care? Results of a small-scale trial, Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 10, 147–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, S, A. (2018, February). National Police Air Service. Air International, 64–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, S. A. (2019a, February). Managing resources. Air International, 76–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, S. A. (2019b). The 2018 Gosport Independent Panel report into deaths at the National Health Service’s Gosport War Memorial Hospital. Does the culture of the medical profession influence health outcomes? Journal of Risk Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2019.1591488.

  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • British Broadcasting Corporation. (2015). Nicholas Salvador detained over woman’s beheading. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-33239870/. Accessed 15 Feb 2019.

  • Brookes, A. (1992). Disaster in the air. Shepperton: Ian Allan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, A. D. (1995). Organisational culture. London: Pitman Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, R. D., & Bagshaw, M. (1999). Human performance and limitations in aviation. Oxford: Blackwell Science.

    Google Scholar 

  • Card, J. J. (1987). Epidemiology of PTSD in a national cohort of Vietnam veterans. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 43(I), 6–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christie, D. J., & Evans-Pim, J. (Eds.). (2012). Nonkilling psychology. Honolulu: Centre for Global Nonkilling.

    Google Scholar 

  • Civil Aviation Authority. (2016a). CAP 737. Flight-crew human factors handbook. London: Civil Aviation Authority.

    Google Scholar 

  • Civil Aviation Authority. (2016b). Standards Document No. 29, Version 7. Guidance on the requirements that pertain to Flightcrew for the training and testing of Human Factors under EASA Part – ORO and EASA Part – FCL. London: Civil Aviation Authority.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clay-Williams, R., Greenfield, D., Stone, J., & Braithwaite, J. (2014). On a wing and a prayer: An assessment of modularised crew resource management training for health care professionals. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 34(1), 56–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins, D. (2017). Statement on HMICFRS report into the National Police Air Service. Available at: https://www.westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/news-events/archived-news/archived-news-2017/2017/statement-on-hmicfrs-report-into-the-national-police-air-service-(npas)-(30-nov-2017).aspx/. Accessed 1 Feb 2019.

  • Davis, M. C., Challenger, R., Jayewardene, D. N. W., & Clegg, C. W. (2014). Advancing socio-technical systems thinking: A call for bravery. Applied Ergonomics, 45(2A), 171–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, B. R., Bouma, G. D., & Atkinson, G. B. J. (1987). A handbook of social science research: A comprehensive and practical guide for students. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eyre, E. C. (1984). Mastering basic management. London: Macmillan Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Federal Aviation Administration. (2017). Avianca Airlines B707 Flight 52 at Long Island, NY. Lessons Learned. Available at: http://lessonslearned.faa.gov/ll_main.cfm?TabID=4&LLID=70&LLTypeID=2/. Accessed 9 Oct 2017.

  • Francis, R. (2013). Report of the mid Staffordshire NHS foundation trust public inquiry. Executive summary. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, S., Mendenhall, P., & O’Connor, B. B. (2013). Beyond the checklist. What else healthcare can learn from aviation teamwork and safety. Ithaca: ILR Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gosport Independent Panel. (2018). Gosport War Memorial Hospital. The report of the Gosport Independent Panel. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, R., Muir, H., James, M., Gradwell, D., & Green, R. L. (1996). Human factors for pilots. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing Ltd..

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatch, M. J. (1997). Organisation theory: Modern, symbolic and postmodern perspectives. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services. (2017). Planes, drones and helicopters. An independent study of police air support. London: Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodgkinson, P. E., & Stewart, M. (1991). Coping with catastrophe: A handbook of disaster management. London: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • House of Commons Home Affairs Committee. (2018). Policing for the future. London: House of Commons Home Affairs Committee.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanki, B. G., Anca, J., & Chidester, T. R. (Eds.). (2019). Crew resource management (3rd ed.). San Diego: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kilmann, R. H. (1989). Managing beyond the quick fix. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause, S. S. (1996). Aircraft safety. Accident investigations, analyses and applications. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langer, E. J. (1989). Minding matters: The consequences of mindlessness-mindfulness. In Advances in experimental social psychology (pp. 137–173). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacLeod, N. (2005). Building safe systems in aviation. A CRM developer’s handbook. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing Ltd..

    Google Scholar 

  • MacNair, R. (2012). Psychology of nonkilling. In Nonkilling psychology (pp. 111–131). Honolulu: Centre for Global Nonkilling.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, R. O. (2004). Lessons in organisational ethics from the Columbia disaster: Can a culture be lethal? Organisational Dynamics, 33(2), 128–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maurino, D. E., Reason, J., Johnston, N., & Lee, R. B. (1998). Beyond aviation human factors – Safety in high-technology systems. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing Ltd..

    Google Scholar 

  • Maxfield, M. G., & Babbie, E. (2001). Research methods for criminal justice and criminology (3rd ed.). Boston: Wadsworth Thomson Learning.

    Google Scholar 

  • McAllister, B. (1997). Crew resource management. Awareness, cockpit efficiency and safety. Shrewsbury: Airlife.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monarch Airlines. (2017). Cabin Crew Initial CRM (CRM training course PowerPoint). Monarch Airlines, London Luton Airport

    Google Scholar 

  • National Police Air Service. (2019). National Police Air Service. Available at: https://www.npas.police.uk/. Accessed 1 Feb 2019.

  • Neuman, W. L. (1997). Social research methods. Qualitative and quantitative approaches (Vol. 3). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillimore, J., Bradby, H., Knecht, M., Padilla, B., & Pemberton, S. (2018, June). Bricolage as a conceptual tool for understanding access to healthcare in superdiverse populations. Social Theory and Health, 26, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41285-018-0075-4.

  • Reason, J. T. (1990). Human Error. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Reason, J. T. (1997). Managing the risks of organisational accidents. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing Ltd..

    Google Scholar 

  • Reason, J. (2013). A life in error. Farnham: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez-Burks, J., Karlesky, M. J., & Lee, F. (2015). Psychological bricolage: Integrating social identities to produce creative solutions. In The Oxford handbook of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship (pp. 93–102). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snook, S. (2000). Friendly fire: The accidental shootdown of U.S. Black Hawks over Northern Iraq. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, P., Richardson, J., Yeo, A., Marsh, I., Trobe, K., & Pilkington, A. (1995). Sociology in focus. Ormskirk: Causeway Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson cited in Dodd, V. (2018). Policing at ‘tipping point’ over budget cuts, warns police chief. The Guardian, 10 October.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toft, B. (1992). The failure of hindsight. Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, 1(3), 48–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toft, B., & Reynolds, S. (1997). Learning from disasters. Leicester: Perpetuity Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trice, H. M. (1993). Occupational subcultures in the workplace. New York: ELR Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Trist, E., & Bamforth, K. (1951). Some social and psychological consequences of the longwall method of coal-getting. Human Relations, 4(1), 3–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuckman, B. W., & Jensen, M. C. (1977). Stages of small group development revisited. Group and Organisational Studies, 2, 419–427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, B. A. (1988). Connoisseurship in the study of organisational cultures. In Doing research in organisations. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waring, A. E. (1996). Safety management systems. London: Chapman and Hall/ITP.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, T. J. (2003). Sociology, work and industry (4th ed.). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiener, E. L., Kanki, B. G., & Helmreich, R. L. (Eds.). (1993). Cockpit resource management. San Diego: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wikimedia Commons. (2011). Shop fire during London riots. Available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shop_fire_during_London_riots,_2011.jpg/. Accessed 13 May 2019.

  • Wikimedia Commons. (2016). G-NWOI Eurocopter EC135 Helicopter National Police Air Service. Available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:G-NWOI_Eurocopter_EC135_Helicopter_National_Police_Air_Service_(29494322826).jpg/. Accessed 13 May 2019.

  • Wikler, N. (1990). Hidden injuries of war. In Strangers at home: Vietnam veterans since the war (pp. 87–106). New York: Brunner/Mazel Inc.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Civil Safety and Security Unit (CSSU), University of Leicester, Leicester, England

    Simon Bennett

Authors
  1. Simon Bennett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Simon Bennett .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Bryanna Fox

  2. Department of Criminology, University of South Florida-St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, FL, USA

    Joan A. Reid

  3. College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Anthony J. Masys

Appendix: Interview Questions to: NPAS Pilots and Tactical Flight Officers

Appendix: Interview Questions to: NPAS Pilots and Tactical Flight Officers

  1. 1.

    In what ways has your CRM training helped in your routine, day-to-day work?

  2. 2.

    In what ways has your CRM training helped in non-normal situations?

  3. 3.

    What changes would you make to CRM training to make it more relevant to your role in the cockpit/in the cabin?

  4. 4.

    Do you think CRM could be used in other professions/industries?

  5. 5.

    If ‘yes’, which professions/industries, and what benefits might CRM bring?

  6. 6.

    Is there anything else you would like to say?

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Bennett, S. (2020). From the Front Line: The Lived-Reality of Police Helicopter Operations. In: Fox, B., Reid, J., Masys, A. (eds) Science Informed Policing. Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security Applications. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41287-6_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41287-6_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-41286-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-41287-6

  • eBook Packages: Law and CriminologyLaw and Criminology (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation