Launching an Aviation Unit with Chino Police Department

How California’s Chino Police Department Air 5 supports their communities from the sky

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APSCON - Fort Lauderdale, FL (July 17, 2026) Across the country, law enforcement agencies have grown increasingly interested in turning to aviation units to meet the evolving demands of public safety missions. Since accepting delivery of their new Bell 505 last year, California’s Chino Police Department has integrated airborne support into daily operations, enabling their ability to respond to calls, coordinate resources, and protect the communities they serve.

“Bell is proud to support agencies like the Chino Police Department as they put their new Bell 505 to work in service of their community,” said Lane Evans, managing director, North America. “We appreciate the important work they do and are honored they selected Bell for their first aviation asset.”

The work being done by the Chino Police Department and similar operations across the country demonstrates the growing importance of aviation in law enforcement. These teams are not only responding to emergencies, but they are also proactively supporting patrols, assisting in search and rescue operations, and providing vital intel during major events and disasters. Their efforts contribute to safer outcomes for officers and their communities.

“The Chino Police Department has been thrilled with our new Bell 505 and its ability to deliver reduced response times across our communities,” said Lt. Aaron Kelliher, Chino Police Department. “In just the first month of service alone, the aircraft was able to conduct three pursuits, all with 100% apprehension rate, and we are looking forward to continuing our missions in this aircraft.”

The Bell 505 was introduced in 2014 and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2017. Its versatility and reliability have made it a popular choice for agencies around the country starting aviation units. Equipped with an open cabin design, advanced avionics, and panoramic windows, the aircraft provides crews with the capabilities needed for a wide range of missions.

As the landscape of public safety continues to evolve, aviation units like Chino are setting new standards for operational effectiveness. With the support of proven platforms like the Bell 505, agencies are better equipped to meet the challenges of modern policing and deliver the highest level of service possible.

To learn more about Bell’s solutions for public safety operators, visit the Bell product page and visit Bell at booth #101 during APSCON 2026.

About Bell

About Bell

Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 90 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.

We're an aerospace and defense company that engineers and manufactures aircraft for critical solutions in extreme scenarios. We're breaking barriers in lifting people to safety across transportation, medical, rescue and military services, and leading the industry in future solutions that are fast, reliable and efficient.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with generations of employees who have served, many in combat theatre of operation, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours. Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront. 

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancelations or deferrals of orders.


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