A recent discussion among Phoenix City Council regarding a contract for police helicopter maintenance had one member criticizing the city’s helicopters and planes as a surveillance tool used to act against residents while another said they were a critical life-saving tool.
The member who criticized Phoenix Police’s Air Support Unit, Anna Hernandez, stood alone in an 8-1 vote on Nov. 19 to approve $850,000 for aircraft parts, equipment, supplies and maintenance for the unit.
The contract with Cutter Aviation is for five years to support the five helicopters and two airplanes in the police department’s fleet. The $850,000, five-year contract will add to the $17.8 million budget for the Air Support Unit for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
