Tulsa Police Department Breaks Ground On New Helicopter Hangar

The Tulsa Police Department has started building a new hangar and office for the Aviation Unit, which is moving to the grounds of the Police Training Academy.

The unit has operated out of the Tulsa Airpark, on 36th Street North, since TPD bought the first helicopter in 1982.

The unit has two helicopters that barely fit into the existing hangar, and the office space is small and outdated.

The $5.6 million project is being funded largely through the American Rescue Plan with a $3.5 million grant, local funding with $1 million from the Hardesty Family Foundation, $870,000 in city funding, and another grant for $250,000 from the Chapman Foundation.

Image Provided By: Tulsa Police Department

TPD Chief Wendell Franklin said despite advances in drone technology, the department believes there will always be a role for helicopters that can fly for hours, with officers on board to relay information to officers on the ground.

TPD Lieutenant Nick Cory leads the Aviation Unit and predicted the new hangar would meet the needs of the department for at least 20 years.

Image Provided By: Tulsa Police Department

“We'll have a hangar that we'll be able to grow into," he said. "It will easily fit our two helicopters.”

The new building is estimated to be completed in May 2025.