The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) Air Support Unit provides essential aerial support to frontline operations through a combination of helicopter and drone technology.

The Unit was established in 2000 with the acquisition of Air1, a fully equipped police helicopter. Based at the Oshawa Airport, the Air Support Unit can be at the scene of any incident in the region within minutes to assist ground patrol efforts.

Air1 has been a vital asset in patrol support, search and rescue operations, vehicle pursuits, major incident management, and providing real-time situational awareness to officers on the ground. Equipped with advanced imaging, night vision, and communication systems, Air1 has significantly enhanced our ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies across Durham Region. For over two decades, the helicopter has consistently proven to be a force multiplier, directly contributing to community safety and operational success.

Recognizing the need for continuous aerial coverage, DRPS expanded its capabilities in 2016 by launching the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) program. The RPAS Unit provides flexible, rapid-response aerial support, particularly when Air1 is unavailable due to maintenance, weather conditions, or concurrent operational needs.

RPAS assets are deployed for search operations, collision investigations, tactical support, and evidence gathering, ensuring critical aerial capabilities are maintained at all times.

Together, Air1 and the RPAS Unit allow DRPS to deliver consistent, innovative, and effective air support services to the community, reinforcing our commitment to public safety and operational excellence.

The Air Support Unit operates a Bell 206 Bill helicopter equipped with mission-specific equipment. Our aircraft is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, whether on general patrol or an on-call basis. The unit consists of two full-time Tactical Flight Officers (TFO), five part-time TFOs, and two full-time contracted pilots.

DRPS 12 RPAS (drones) and 23 pilots.

The DRPS K9 Unit was formed in 1990 with the training of the service’s first police dog, Leo. Since then the unit has grown to support the region’s needs and currently has 7 handlers, and 7 police service dogs (PSD).

These dogs have proven themselves over and over again with their ability to search for and apprehend criminals, conduct neighbourhood, building and area searches, assist in locating lost and missing persons, locating drugs, firearms and human remains.

Our PSDs are highly trained and must pass annual re-certification as mandated by the provincial government. Our unit is a highly visible and well respected part of the police service. Please click on items of interest for more information.

The Marine Unit patrols approximately 1,400 square kilometres of water between patrolling Lake Ontario, the weedy Lake Scugog and the unpredictable Lake Simcoe with the use of two vessels – the 38’ Hike, and the 26’ Zodiac. The two full-time officers and two part-time officers use these vessels in a number of diverse situations ranging from the typical warm and calm summer days, to windy, rainy, and just-above-freezing days during the colder months.

About the vessels:

38 Hike:
-Made of aluminum
-Powered by twin 260 horsepower supercharged diesel Volvo engines
-11.5 wide, 11.5 tall, weighs approximately 8 tons, holds 800 litres of fuel
-Radar and navigation devices that allow for travel in limited visibility, rough seas, at night
-Enclosed wheel house with heat and air conditioning to minimize exposure

26 Zodiac:
-Inflatable with rigid hull
-Powered by twin 200 horsepower Mercury outboard engines for rapid response
-Trailered vessel, allows for transport to Lake Scugog and Lake Simcoe
-Holds 700 litres of fuel and reaches speeds in excess of 80 km/h
-Similar capabilities for travel during difficult weather conditions
-A covered console, meaning officers are subjected to the environment frequently

The Tactical Support Unit (TSU) responds to incidents involving hostages or forcibly confined persons, high-risk warrant service, as well as armed or barricaded persons. TSU officers require specialized skills, knowledge and training to respond to serious incidents. 

TSU is a highly disciplined, well-trained and well-equipped police resource. Members of this Unit have received additional training in dynamic entry and hostage rescue as they undertake to resolve high-risk incidents, particularly where firearms and other weapons are involved.

De-escalation of an incident through carefully planned actions and the tactical concept of "contain and talk out - negotiate - crisis intervention" successfully concludes most situations involving the Unit. Peaceful resolution of an incident is the Tactical Support Unit's ultimate goal. If an incident must be resolved through the application of approved force options, the force applied by the TSU must not be excessive in relation to the nature of the situation.

Visit the Community Safety and Support menu to learn more about this section. 

The Central Alternative Response Unit (CARU) is located on the main floor of 650 Rossland Rd, which it shares with the Collision Reporting Centre, collectively these units are known as the Regional Reporting Centre (RRC).

The mandate of the CARU is to ensure effective and efficient response to citizen-generated calls for service by any approved alternate means, including telephone reporting, online reporting and personal attendance, in a timely, accurate manner. The unit operates seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

In order for a call to be eligible to be taken from CARU the following criteria must be met:
• Non-emergency call not requiring emergency service presence.
• No threat of serious physical harm.
• No potential for injury.
• No suspect on scene, known or unknown, and immediate apprehension improbable.
• Crimes not in progress.
• No scene protection required.
• No witness on scene expecting police attendance.
• Complainant exhibits no signs of emotion or trauma the might necessitate an officer to attend the scene for safety concerns.
• No motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) or Break and Enters (B & Es) can be taken. This pertains to residential and business premises.

The Traffic Services Branch is further sub-divided into four components: Collision Investigation, Traffic Enforcement, Marine Patrol and Impaired Driving Investigations.

The Collision Investigation Unit (CIU) is a Collision Reconstruction Unit dedicated to the investigation of motor vehicle collisions involving serious injury or death.  The Unit was created in 1994 after the realization that expert investigation into serious collision was necessary within our Community.

Traffic Enforcement is a Unit dedicated to the enforcement of the Criminal Code and Provincial Statutes that relate to roadway safety.  Prevention is also crucial to roadway safety and forms a major part of this unit’s activities.  These specialized Officers participate in a multitude of target prevention programs such as, but not limited to; R.I.D.E, “Vision Zero”, Road Safety Week, “In the Zone”, “Operation Impact” and “Save a Life”.

Did you know DRPS has an autism and vulnerable person registry for the public?

The autism registry promotes communication that gives police quick access to critical information about a registered person with autism. This information can assist officers in communicating with, attending a residence of or dealing with an emergency involving an individual with autism. It can provide police with emergency contact information, detailed physical descriptions, known routines, favourite attractions or special needs of the individual with autism.

The Vulnerable Person Registry is an online registry promoting communication that gives police quick access to critical information about a registered person with wandering tendencies. This information can assist officers in communicating with, attending a residence of or dealing with an emergency involving a vulnerable person. Anyone who has memory problems or dementia that becomes disoriented and confused and has a tendency to wander.

Please visit the drop-down menu on our website under Online Services.