Mission Statement: The Jefferson County Sheriff's 
                    Office and Beaumont Police Department Aviation Unit is a cooperative 
                    effort. The mission is designed to achieve the law enforcement 
                    goals of the entire county as they relate to officer safety, 
                    enhanced drug enforcement, extraditions, and community awareness. 
                    This is accomplished by supporting and assisting all patrol 
                    units and other law enforcement agencies in Jefferson County 
                    for the purpose of enhancing patrol efforts, counter-drug 
                    surveillance, performing airborne extraditions, and providing 
                    emergency airborne response to crisis situations as well as 
                    attend community awareness events. 
                  Three helicopters (OH-58s) operated by the Jefferson County 
                    Sheriff's Office and the Beaumont Police Department have proven 
                    extremely useful in the fight against crime as well as other 
                    areas. Assisting in Narcotics enforcement and supporting the 
                    Patrol units is the primary mission of the helicopter unit. 
                    This assistance from the helicopter unit, which is equipped 
                    with a flir thermal imaging camera and night sun light enables 
                    fewer ground based officers at crimes scenes and perimeters. 
                    Having the helicopter in the air gives a sense of security 
                    to the officers and the community. The vehicle pursuit management 
                    is increased, by having the air unit to observe and track 
                    the pursuit. This ability reduces associated liabilities to 
                    the officers, community, and the suspect. The aircrew is made 
                    of one command pilot and co-pilot or tactical flight officer 
                    (observer). The flight crew observes areas on the ground and 
                    monitors dispatch frequencies, responding to calls for service 
                    and personal observations based on their experience as Peace 
                    officers. In effect, the air unit can be thought of as a patrol 
                    car in flight. The unit is placed on 24- hour call up status.  |