The tactical flight officer (TFO) in an airborne law enforcement aircraft is perhaps the most unsung hero of the police aviation team. Just like in many Hollywood military movies where the flyboys get all the attention and accolades while the grunts do all the work, the police pilot often gets the attention while the tactical flight officer is overlooked. The TFO is perhaps the most critical crew member for the police aviation mission. The TFO is truly the "police side" of the airborne law enforcement aircraft.
The Tactical Flight Officer Duties and Responsibilities
Over the years, the tactical flight officer has been known as the observer, scout or a myriad of other less than descriptive (and sometimes derisive) names. Hardly reflecting the numerous duties and responsibilities of the position, these names indicate this position requires just looking out the aircraft window and "helping" the pilot.
Today's tactical flight officer has a wide array of duties and responsibilities. In routine and daily operations the tactical flight officer is responsible for knowing daily crime reports, trends and conditions. The TFO usually must preflight and inspect any specific police or rescue mission equipment including first aid equipment, automated external defibrillators, oxygen tanks, life rafts etc. They must have a comprehensive understanding, even if they have no formal aviation training, of the aviation-specific side of the operation.
During a flight mission, the TFO's primary duty is and will always be flight safety. This means helping out with numerous flight duties such as collision avoidance, radio management and looking at any other condition that could affect flight safety. The TFO must also manage the emergency response radios. The modern law enforcement aircraft has amazing capabilities and the radio packages are usually quite sophisticated. It is not unusual for the TFO to have to manage up to five frequencies at a time!
Finally, the TFO must manage the forward-looking infrared (FLIR), searchlights and aviation mapping computers. This position can become very workload-intensive, particularly during a fast-paced and dynamic assignment. For example, during a vehicle pursuit, the TFO is tasked with transmitting information on the pursuit, working the video camera and keeping an eye on flight safety. If electronic news gathering (ENG) aircraft are on scene, the workload increases dramatically. Not only does the TFO have all of the above duties, the TFO is constantly assisting the pilot in avoiding the ENG aircraft. Under most circumstances, the ENG does give the law enforcement aircraft a wide berth. However, there have been mid-air collisions between ENG aircraft while covering a scene. There are usually personnel on at least two or three frequencies asking the airborne law enforcement aircraft for information on the pursuit, and often the airborne crew is exchanging information amongst themselves via their intercoms. Like their ground counterparts, decisions must be made in seconds. During a recent vehicle pursuit in a major east coast city, a police helicopter was following a stolen vehicle along a highway. As they approached the city's major international airport, which was very busy handling arrivals and departures, air traffic control needed to hold the police helicopter momentarily to avoid two landing airliners. As it became evident to the airborne law enforcement crew that there was some apprehension, confusion and doubt among the commercial airliners, the TFO decided, in the interest of safety, to terminate the pursuit. Total time to make the decision: five to ten seconds.
Anytime there is interaction with ground officers, the TFO has a very high workload. During a foot pursuit, the TFO must attempt to follow the subject, direct ground officers and manage the radios. Sometimes the directing of ground units can get awkward, because the TFO is usually not a ranking officer or supervisor and ground units might resent being told what to do by the TFO. The airborne law enforcement unit does have a unique perspective and sometimes can see gaps in the perimeter or other conditions that need attention and must request ground units to address these concerns
The TFO must also learn the duties and responsibilities of the pilot, including reading of aviation charts, understanding aircraft performance and in some cases, TFOs receive emergency flight training procedures. The concept of crew resource management (CRM) is always a priority. CRM is simply the concept that all information and all crew members play a vital and integral role in the safety of flight. Crew members are encouraged in fact they are mandated to speak up if they have any concerns about flight safety.
Getting the Tactical Flight Officer Assignment
Like any unit in the police department, when seeking personnel for the TFO position, airborne law enforcement units look for team players with patrol experience. It helps to have an excellent geographic understanding of the jurisdiction. Airborne law enforcement units usually consult with supervisors and peers for feedback and insight on a potential TFO. Aviation experience, although helpful, is usually not an absolute requirement. Evaluations and sick records are reviewed and any other skills are considered. Ironically, many airborne law enforcement units place expertise with computers and electronics as more desirable than any aviation skills. The ability to work under extreme pressure, in a tight and confined aircraft environment is crucial. Interpersonal skills are essential. It is not unusual for a very high ranking member of the department to interact with flight crews regarding an assignment or mission. Specialized experience, especially tactical work such as SWAT, can be very beneficial. The understanding and insight on a developing tactical assignment can be of great advantage to the TFO when conducting command and control for such assignments. An intangible skill is an exceptional understanding and knowledge of his or her jurisdiction, which means not only the streets but also parks, schools, auto-dumping areas and potential trouble spots.
Most airborne law enforcement units have an internal probationary period in which the TFO will be evaluated and rated on their ability to perform the mission. It also gives the TFO the opportunity to decide if the assignment is what they expected.
Yes, the pilots might get the accolades, but without the tactical flight officer, the airborne law enforcement unit becomes just another aircraft in the sky.