Saskatoon police wants to buy its own plane, same as the old plane

The Saskatoon Police Service says it could save close to $1 million over 10 years by owning its own plane, instead of leasing one as it does now.

That's why the police force is asking the Police Board of Commissioners for the OK to set aside $800,000 for the purchase.

"The economics for the suggestion are compelling," wrote Earl Warwick, the service's finance director, in a report to the board. 

In addition to seeking proposals for the supply of a Cessna 182T, the service also wants to issue separate requests for the supply of a hangar and office, maintenance work, and fuel — all things that come "in conjunction with" the earlier model Cessna 182S currently leased by the police, according to Warwick.

"In aggregate, savings to the Saskatoon taxpayer over a 10-year period are anticipated to be in the order of $945,000," he wrote.

The service hopes to have the new plane in the air by the third quarter of 2018.

'Little difference' between planes

The police force wouldn't be getting a much fancier model.

"Essentially there is little difference between the 182S and 182T other than it will be newer," the service said in an email. "It is like buying a 2018 Ford Explorer versus a 1998 Ford Explorer."

The newer model would allow the service to buy a new propeller, plus a new diesel engine, that would reduce the noise made by the plane — a concern voiced by some in recent years. 

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But the service says it only gets an average of three complaints a year. 

The service says the plane helps dramatically increase its success rate when it comes to stopping a person driving a speeding vehicle, compared to when a plane is not in the air. 

The board will discuss the police's funding request Thursday at noon at city hall.