Winnipeg police want $360K for chopper despite review

The Winnipeg Police Service wants to replace a key system on the Air1helicopterat the same time the province is reviewing whether the chopper is needed in the first place.

The police say the thermal imaging system on the aircraft has been repaired several times and needs to be replaced.

According to Air1'sannual flight reports,the helicopter is currently equipped withastabilized camera that can trackpeople usingheat signatures.

The equipment is critical to finding suspects on the ground during pursuits.

Winnipeg PolicePatrol Sgt. Rob Duttchen said on Wednesdaythe equipment has cometo the end of its life cycle.

"After five years of use and ...over 4,000 almost 5,000 hours of operational deployment for the camera, it just has worn itself out," Duttchensaid.

A City of Winnipeg report to the finance committee notes it has set aside its share for anew $360,000 thermal imaging system.

The purchase, according to the finance documents,would requirea 50/50 funding split between the city and the province.

A spokesperson for the province wasn't able to confirm whether a request for the funding had been received. The spokesperson did say it "ispossible the request hasbeen made, but hasn'tbeen located."

• Winnipeg police helicopter to face outside review, province confirms

Justice Minister Gord Mackintosh told reporters in earlyJanuary the province would conduct a review of the Air1program.

"It's always important to have an outside look at the operation and make sure that it's doing the best it can do," Makintosh said at the time.

Under an agreement, the provincial government pays for the operations of the helicopter. In 2014, the province paid$1,752,514.89.

Equipment needed-despite provincial review

Police board chair ScottGillinghamadmitted the timing of the purchase is awkward.

"Forthe helicopter to fulfil its operational capacity, this item is needed, yet yes, the province has announced a review, but you would have to speak to the province and the police service about the unfortunate timing and how that may be handled,"Gillinghamsaid.

In an emailed statement,WPS Superintendent BruceOrmistonexplained the reason for the replacement.

"The Winnipeg Police Service is aware that the replacement of this equipment is occurring in the same year that the operational review of Air1 is being conducted. The service believes the review could take up to a year,and since [the imaging system]is reaching the end of its life cycle, a replacement is needed to maintain the operational abilitiesof Air1."

Patrol Sgt.RobDuttchen added the Air1 is worth more with a functioning imaging system on boardthan without,so even if the review recommends selling the helicopter, there's value in replacing the component.

Request followed proper channels

Gillinghamsaidthe boardwas recently briefedby the police serviceof the need for the new thermal imaging equipment.

"The chief has operational decisions that he makes for the service. I'm glad that it came before us though," Gillingham said.

The purchase of a$342,800armoured personnel vehicle in late 2015 caught members of the police board off-guard.The police service bought the armoured vehicle with funds it secured within its own budget and notified the police board afterward.

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New rules for the procurement of equipment over $100,000 werelateragreed to by the board and Chief Devon Clunis.

Gillinghambelieves concerns over the armoured car purchase may have prompted police executives to inform the board of the need to replace the expensive equipment.

"I'd like to think that that's one of the reasons why they came to us early and the board appreciates that now it's going to finance committee as part of the commitmentreserve," Gillingham said.

The city'scommitment reserve fund allows departments to carry forward operating budget dollars that have been earmarked for specific purchases or programsto theprecedingfiscal year,eliminating the need to re-budget.

Gillingham calledthe accounting "completely transparent" and notedit is conditional on provincial funding.

The Winnipeg Police Service added itis in discussions with the province with regards to the replacement of this equipment.