An inside look at how Michigan State Police’s helicopter helps find missing people and solve crimes

DETROIT – From high-speed chases to finding missing children, Michigan State Police’s helicopter serves as a crucial set of eyes in the sky for law enforcement across the state.
The aviation unit’s helicopter, known as Trooper 2, operates with a two-person crew: a pilot and a tactical flight officer.
“It’s like flying a sports car through the sky,” said Sgt. Cole Martin, one of the pilots for the Michigan State Police Aviation Unit. “But the most important job in our helicopter is the person operating the camera and being able to help those officers and citizens on the ground.”
That person is Trooper Josh Maskey, who serves as the tactical flight officer. His primary tool is a high-tech camera system mounted to the front of the helicopter — combining high-definition video and thermal imaging capabilities with GPS technology.
Local 4 got a rare inside look at how the crew operates during an evening patrol over Metro Detroit.

Michigan State Police Trooper 2 (WDIV)