What's Up with That Night-Time Helicopter Buzzing Over Calgary's SW?
That familiar thrumming overhead in Calgary’s SW late at night isn’t just a helicopter; it’s the Calgary Police Service’s Helicopter Air Watch for Community Safety (HAWCS) unit, diligently working to keep our city safe. Often prompting questions from residents, these aerial patrols are a critical component of local law enforcement.
HAWCS was born from tragedy and community spirit, established after the death of Const. Rick Sonnenberg in October 1993. Public support, including a $1.5 million fundraising effort by the Rick Sonnenberg Memorial Society, brought the first HAWCS helicopter into service on July 18, 1995, making Calgary the first municipal police agency in Canada with a full-time aerial patrol program.
Today, two Airbus H125 helicopters operate 24/7, providing real-time aerial surveillance equivalent to 14 patrol cars. These "eyes in the sky" are equipped with high-resolution cameras, searchlights, and loudhailers, offering vital support to ground units for missions like locating missing persons, responding to stolen vehicles, tactical deployments, and apprehending offenders.
The unit’s effectiveness is undeniable. HAWCS averages over 4,000 calls for service annually, contributing to hundreds of offender apprehensions each year. Since 2019, HAWCS has been called out 30,685 times, supporting 4,991 successful apprehensions, with 3,253 incidents and 498 arrests already recorded in 2025 as of October 2. This includes aiding in major investigations, such as a 2020 daylight homicide where HAWCS quickly located suspects, preventing a costly ground pursuit.
While the helicopter noise sometimes draws attention, HAWCS’s ability to direct ground units without sirens means they can often operate discreetly and effectively. This constant vigilance contributes to Calgary's public safety, complementing efforts that saw the city's overall Crime Severity Index decrease by 14.9 percent between 2023 and 2024. So, when you hear that night-time buzz, remember it’s the Calgary Police Service actively protecting our community.
