The Police Helicopter Unit started in March 1971 with five pilot trainees and one helicopter; a Hughes 300C.

In July 1971 the unit became operational over Topeka. The Department currently has one Robinson R44 II and a Schweizer 300C

In 1992; through public support the Topeka Police Department was the first law enforcement agency in Kansas to install a Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) camera on a helicopter. This piece of equipment allows the helicopter crew to see in the dark without using the searchlight.

Crews average 1,500 hours of flight time each year with an average response time of 89 seconds. The unit had about 6,800 activities last year which resulted in 95 felony arrests and 156 misdemeanor arrests.

See the Flir Video of the Robinson in use