The aircraft returned to service on Feb. 14 and “assisted with nearly 60 calls for service and aided in 13 arrests” within its first seven shifts back in the air.
Perhaps to the delight of some and the chagrin of others, the Regina Police Service’s Aerial Support Unit (ASU) is back in the skies over the Queen City.
The aircraft, a Cessna 182T, returned to service on Feb. 14, 2025 after undergoing repairs. Within its first seven shifts back in the air, the ASU “assisted with nearly 60 calls for service and aided in 13 arrests,” according to the Regina Police Service.
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The plane was grounded in April 2024 after it “was damaged during a routine maintenance operation,” police said in a news release. Specifically, it appears that a wing was damaged while returning to the hangar.
The aircraft’s maiden voyage took place in January 2023 following approvals from Regina city council in 2021.
Getting the ASU off the ground took approximately $1.5 million, with SGI and the Ministry of Justice kicking in dollars to the program. The ministry in particular paid $600,000 from its Civil Forfeiture branch — money used to purchase the plane’s camera and related equipment.
All told, the city paid approximately $275,000, with the province footing the rest of the bill.
Despite its use as a law enforcement tool, the Cessna’s deployment hasn’t come without criticism. A University of Saskatchewan academic says the presence of police aircraft can lead to over-policing of Regina’s citizenry.
“When you have policing that is seen as invasive, it starts to impact the general public and their sense of belonging and community — and that’s kind of a dangerous thing to play with,” said Scott Thompson, whose primary research interests include police surveillance.
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Some people may also consider noise from the plane to be a disturbance, which is acknowledged in an online public complaint form available on the RPS website.
“We understand that aircraft noise can be disruptive, and we appreciate your feedback,” it reads. “The police airplane operates as part of our commitment to public safety, assisting with crime prevention, search and rescue, and emergency response. If you have concerns about noise levels, flight patterns, or specific incidents, please use the form below to submit your complaint.”
A related online Q&A section goes on to explain: “The RPS has taken extra measures to reduce the noise associated with the aircraft. In addition to flying higher than required, the aircraft has been outfitted with a special muffler system designed to reduce noise.”
—with files from Larissa Kurz
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