BC — The RCMP’s fleet of helicopters across British Columbia is getting a major camera upgrade with new livestreaming capabilities, and a video from Air Services shows how the technology is positively impacting frontline police services like BC Highway Patrol.
Air Services can now transmit live aerial footage like this directly to the Real Time Intelligence Centre – BC (RTIC-BC), where officers and staff from multiple law enforcement agencies provide 24/7 intelligence to frontline investigators.
The new technology allows intelligence personnel to monitor unfolding police operations in real time, providing police officers on the ground with immediate and accurate information to support operational decisions and coordinate responses. The new capability enhances the ability of police to respond effectively to evolving situations by improving situational awareness and information sharing between aerial and ground resources, strengthening public and officer safety.
“Timely information during unfolding and fast-moving incidents is vital to effective policing,” says Inspector Kevin Kilar, Officer in Charge of BC RCMP Air Services. “Having this ability to livestream footage from the sky, during and as a police incident is happening, gives us tremendous access to real-time observations from the pilot and Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) perspectives. We can share those directly with officers on the ground for a clearer picture of the situation, cutting down response times when it matters most.”
As a client of Air Services, BC Highway Patrol (BCHP), particularly in the Lower Mainland, frequently rely on helicopters to assist with operational incidents involving excessive speeders or motorists engaging in other dangerous driving behaviours.
“Getting real time information from Air Services gives BC Highway Patrol a significant advantage in safely intercepting dangerous driving and enforcing the law effectively,” says Sergeant Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “Our partnership with Air Services is extremely important. It makes our work more efficient, safer, and more transparent in court.”
On October 13, 2026, while on their daily aerial patrol in the Lower Mainland, a pilot and TFO spotted a black BMW 300-series speeding and weaving along Highway 1 in Burnaby, reaching speeds over 160 km/hr. The TFO immediately alerted BC Highway Patrol, providing important details about the vehicle, the Novice driver green magnet wedged under the licence plate, and its movements and direction of travel. A BCHP officer was able to stage at the exact location where the black BMW 300 took the exit to make a safe traffic stop and issue $788.00 in appropriate violation tickets.
Throughout October, law enforcement partners leveraged this new capability to advance their investigations and enhance operational outcomes. While monitoring live aerial footage, RTIC-BC intelligence personnel identified and relayed critical evidence to frontline officers, strengthening investigative files and contributing to building prosecutable cases.
“Our goal in the RTIC-BC is to enhance public and officer safety by providing timely and actionable intelligence to support frontline law enforcement operations,” says Inspector Scott Grimmer, Officer in Charge of Real Time Intelligence Centre BC. “With live aerial perspective during an unfolding scenario, intelligence personnel from RTIC-BC are able to monitor the situation, provide crucial information to support units and partner agencies on the ground, allowing them to coordinate a quicker response and change their approach or strategy as the situation requires.”
Currently, the two helicopters based in the Lower Mainland are equipped with this new camera feature, with the rest of the fleet across BC scheduled to be outfitted by 2028.
