On Wednesday, January 23, 2019, the Sacramento Police Department will hold a formal introduction ceremony for the unveiling of our brand new Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter at the Northern California Regional Public Safety Center, 2409 Dean Street, McClellan, California 95652.

In 1997 the Sacramento Police Department began the Air Operations Unit after piecing together two military surplus 1970’s Bell OH-58 Jet Ranger helicopters. Both, of these helicopters were equipped for patrol and have flown well over 30,000 hours serving our City, community, and the entire Sacramento region for the past 22 years. 

Our community and police department have seen first-hand, the value and the enhanced safety that our Air Operations Team provides to our ground resources and the citizens of Sacramento.

In 2010, Bell ceased production of the Bell 206 Jet Ranger, the civilian version of the OH-58, which made replacement parts difficult to acquire. The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter is the newest generation of the Bell Jet Ranger model.

After several years of searching for a replacement model for the aging OH-58s, the Police Department requested the purchase of the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. In 2017, the City approved the use of grant and asset forfeiture funds towards the purchase of the 505 equipped with the latest law enforcement technology.

We consider this purchase to be an investment for the future safety of our community and law enforcement officers on the ground.

The Sacramento Police Department is the first law enforcement agency in the world to fly the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter for public safety. We are extremely proud to lead the way, continuing to serve our community and the Sacramento Region.

For more information about the introduction ceremony, contact Officer Marcus Basquez, Police Information Officer at mbasquez@pd.cityofsacramento.org.