Windsor police chief calls provincial helicopter funding a ‘future-focused’ move

The provincial government has allotted $57 million to put towards helicopters for the Windsor Police Service and the Niagara Regional Police Service.

Windsor’s police chief called Ontario’s newly announced helicopter funding a forward-thinking investment, and one he said would benefit the entire region — not just the city or its international border.

The province set aside $57 million in its new budget to purchase two H-135 police helicopters: one for the Windsor Police Service and another for Niagara.

Beyond border patrol

The move was first hinted at in December, when Premier Doug Ford floated the idea during remarks about border enforcement.

The provincial budget now ties the aircraft directly to “increased patrols, security and enforcement at key entry points at the U.S. border.”

But Windsor Police Chief Jason Bellaire said the value of the helicopter extends far beyond that.

“I think you have to get away from the idea of having just a helicopter flying up and down the Detroit River and understand that it would be more of a regional safety resource,” Bellaire said.

“The world is evolving and technology to provide for a safe community is going to require those investments.”

He said the aircraft should be treated as a shared service for the broader region, not just the city.

As Chris Lewis, CTV News Public Safety Analyst and former OPP Commissioner, explained, other agencies in the area would benefit as well.

“The OPP doesn’t have helicopters in southwestern Ontario,” he said.

“At times that helicopter may be out and about in Essex County somewhere helping the OPP.”

He also said Windsor would likely lean on the province for guidance and support as the helicopter program takes shape.

“I’m sure they’ll be relying on the OPP and others that have had helicopters for many, many years,” Lewis said.

Questions still to be answered

Details still need to be worked out including how the aircraft will be staffed and operated, and who will be responsible for the cost of maintaining it.

Bellaire said he expected the province would work with the service to avoid burdening Windsor residents.

“There’s a lot of reasonable people involved and I think they’ll come to a reasonable solution to ensure that the local taxpayer is not specifically hit with that cost,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of planning ahead.

“I think being future oriented in this area is the way to go,” he said.

“We’ve had jurisdictions in this country that have not made reasonable investments in community safety. And they see what happens when you wait too long to do that.”

Bellaire said it could take a year or more for the helicopter to be in the air. But when it is, he said, the benefits will be tangible.

“I’m excited for what that’s going to provide in terms of accessible results for our police service,” he said.