Riverside County Sheriff’s Department unveils its new helicopter

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is adding a new member to its team.

Thursday it unveiled its brand new H-125 helicopter with state-of-the-art technology.

Deputy pilot Tony Bowen, with more than 32 years of flying experience, said helicopters like these are vital to the department.

“For every helicopter in the air is equal to seven or eight guys on the ground,” Bowen said.

He took us around the aircraft, showing off the upgraded features.

“Inside the aircraft we have new avionics, which gives us more capability; the infrared camera is an HD screen, so it gives a clearer picture,” Bowen said.

There’s a new hoist that can carry two people instead of one and a new light that makes their night vision almost 20/20.

Bowen said this helicopters not only keeps the people of Riverside County safe, it also keeps the deputies on the ground safe.

“It’s gonna enable the guys on the ground to do a better job and do it more efficiently. We’re able to give them updates on what’s going on and for their safety. We’re always concerned for the safety of the officers and the community,” Bowen said.

There’s not a day that goes by when the Sheriff’s Department doesn’t use these helicopters.

“It’s very vital for the guys on the ground. We can hear on the radio traffic every day calling for us quite often, and we like to be there for them as much as we can sometimes we can’t,” Bowen said.

Between helping rescue stranded hikers and searching for criminals, pilots said the helicopter lives up to its name:”Astar”.