Air Support Unit
The Air Support Unit co-ordinates police aviation and unmanned aircraft capabilities. This includes the use and governance of police drones, liaison with national police air support and support for operations requiring observation from the air.
How we work
The unit assists searches, major incidents and planned specialist operations when air support can help officers on the ground. Staff arrange authorised drone deployments, manage training and competence requirements and work with police commanders to assess when aerial support is suitable. The recorded organisation register also assigns specialist technical functions to the unit; those are governed through their own authorisations.
Reporting and enquiries
Members of the public do not request air support directly. Report concerns or provide information through normal police services.
Related services
Teams and units
- Drone Section Section
- UAS Governance and Standards Operational technology function
- Air Support Accreditation Governance function
- NPAS Liaison Liaison function
- Live Facial Recognition (LFR) Operational technology function
- Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (C-UAV) Specialist technical function