Winnipeg council approves new $13.5M police helicopter despite questions about cost
Original helicopter cost $3.5M in 2010
Winnipeg city council has approved a $13.5-million deal for a lease-to-own police helicopter, despite hovering questions about its cost.
On Thursday, council voted 14-2 in support to replace its current helicopter, which is now 14 years old. The city paid $3.5 million for the Airbus H120 helicopter in 2010.
The new helicopter, an Airbus H125, is expected to cost $13.5 million, based on a monthly cost of about $75,000 over 15 years.
St. Vital Coun. Brian Mayes questioned that cost increase.
"Why is it four times more expensive? Oh, we're leasing it? Well, that doesn't answer the question. Maybe it would be smarter, then, to buy it," Mayes said during the meeting.
Mayes and Coun. Jason Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan) voted against the proposal.
Coun. Markus Chambers, who chairs the police board, supported the helicopter plan, even though he still had many questions about it.
"I didn't look up the cost of the H125 Airbus helicopter before today — just realizing it now," said the St. Norbert-Seine River councillor, who told reporters his research found the cost of buying the same helicopter is $3.3 million US.
"In terms of that cost, there's more questions to be asked."
A spokesperson for Mayor Scott Gillingham said the total cost of a fully equipped police helicopter is closer to $8 million, with a base price of about $4 million and another $4 million to outfit it with equipment.
The rest of the cost increase comes from maintenance costs and interest over the life of the contract, the spokesperson said.
"The lease-to-purchase model provides financial flexibility and allows the city to opt out if alternative technology, like drones, becomes a viable replacement within the next few years," Colin Fast wrote in an email.
During a news conference, Gillingham said he'd like to explore the option of using drones, "to provide the same or similar or even better coverage if possible in the future once that technology is advanced enough."
But "I don't think we're there yet," he said.
According to a city administrative report, police have used the helicopter to help in pursuits, observe scenes from a safe distance and spot fires, but parts for it are increasingly hard to find, with wait times of six to 12 months.
In 2023, the police helicopter spent 864 hours in the air over 220 days, and was grounded for 145 days either due to maintenance, weather or staffing, according to the report.
The flight operations unit found 401 people in 2023, including 200 people who were suspects in crimes, it said. The unit also helped search for 14 missing people and 44 people who were deemed a risk to themselves.
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