Notice of complaint related to 2022-0168

DATE OF CUSTOMER
OFFICE OF
POLICE OVERSIGHT
FOUNDED
NOTICE OF COMPLAINT
March 11, 2022
ICMS #: 2022-0168
On March 9, 2022 the OPO received an email complaint.
The complainant alleges: Hello, I just called the APD public relations number about the APD
helicopter flying incessantly over the
neighborhood
for the last
35+ minutes. The APD rep assured me the "incident" is of no threat to the public.
Why, then, is the helicopter flying SO low & for SO long? I get that we live in a "low income"
neighborhood where you think no one works, but, in fact, there are many of us in this neighborhood
working from home, caring for children and/or living with health conditions for which such
seemingly unnecessary prolonged interruptive activity (use of a helicopter) causes concern,
disruption and anxiety. Also - how much is this costing tax payers? I was told APD takes SO long
to respond to incidents in which individuals or the public are under threat because of funding
problems.
I would really appreciate some insights on why a helicopter will be flown for such a long period
of time at such a grand cost to city residents if, in fact, there is no threat to the public by the
"incident" to which it is responding. This further damages APD"s relations with these
neighborhoods.
This notice of complaint is a request for Internal Affairs to initiate an investigation to determine
if the employee conduct is within compliance of APD policy, Civil Service Rules, and Municipal
Civil Service Rules.