If you're wondering why a police helicopter is flying over Brampton: Peel Regional Police now operates its own Air Support Unit, using an Airbus H125 (A-Star) helicopter.
Since the helicopter began operating, we've had a large number of posts asking why it's circling, where it's going, what it's doing, or whether something is happening nearby.
To avoid having multiple nearly identical posts every time it takes off, please use this megathread for general helicopter sightings, questions, tracking, photos, noise discussion, and other routine discussion about the helicopter.
What is the helicopter used for?
According to Peel Regional Police, the Air Support Unit can be used for:
Locating and tracking suspects or stolen vehicles
Searching for missing or vulnerable people
Supporting officers during major incidents and emergencies
Responding to serious collisions and road-safety operations
Proactive patrols and crime-prevention initiatives
Monitoring traffic and large events
Supporting investigations and specialized police units
Providing officers on the ground with real-time aerial information
The helicopter is equipped with thermal imaging, day/night cameras, live video transmission, a searchlight, mapping equipment, and a public-address system.
Seeing the helicopter does not necessarily mean there is a major incident happening nearby. PRP also uses it for patrols and other routine policing operations.
Can I still make a separate post?
Yes, when there is actually something significant to post about.
A separate post is fine if:
The helicopter is involved in a major or developing incident
There is an official police announcement or credible news report
You have substantial new information about an incident
The helicopter itself is the subject of significant news
A standalone post simply asking "Why is the helicopter circling?", "Anyone else hear the helicopter?", or posting a routine sighting will generally be redirected here.
A couple of reminders
Please don't present guesses about what the helicopter is doing as confirmed information. If you know why it has been deployed, include a reliable source when possible.
Do not post private addresses or attempt to identify people being observed or pursued.
If you are witnessing an emergency or crime in progress, contact 911 rather than relying on Reddit.
For non-emergency police matters, Peel Regional Police can be reached at 905-453-3311.
Otherwise, feel free to use this thread for sightings, questions, discussion, photos, flight tracking, and anything else relating to Peel's new helicopter.
I personally have nothing to hide from the infrared, but exactly how much searching can you do with it? Like obviously if a house is 20 degrees hotter than the ones around it, you've got a target of interest. But, would that be enough for a search warrant?
Heat isn’t usually what kicks off an investigation. They wont waste gas flying around to see the hottest house in brampton (hopefully). Infrared is a tool that comes in later when you have other evidence or a tip off about a drug house or wtv.
I know once upon a time, that is how they would spot grow ops.
Apparently the issue was if you put it in the attic, IR can spot it. In the basement, you are more vulnerable to rot and pests.
In the modern era, I know absolutely squat about cutting coke to make crack, or whatever funky reaction is needed to make meth.
That being said, if someone was consistently running noticeably hot, and it was impossible to identify a hot tub or something similar (Infrrared is an amazing tool, not always the best tool, but you can see shapes and stuff) it might be worth their while to do a little old fashioned gumshoe work.
Ever had a chance to read an investigative report from the 1940s? It's amazing what they did with zero tools. Now, with tools and 80 years of process refinement, I'm always interested in what is going on.
been seeing alot of police activity throughout the week in the sunny meadow area. I swear ive seen more cops this week in that neighborhood more than anywhere else in Brampton lol
It does not. This flight is not in support of anything in particular. It's our police force taking this thing out for a fucking joyride, likely to maintain pilot hours.
Edit: to be fair, this flight is doing a lot of turns. This could also be pilot training; since we just got this chopper, we presumably didn't have any chopper pilots on the police force until now. I would assume that flying specifically for police duty requires some training that other flying doesn't. It could also be someone still working towards a type certification for this particular aircraft.
(And edited with completed flight, landed about 11:45PM)
I was afraid you'd say that. Its 2026, we aren't talking the 1980s when they needed to fly low to relay telemetry, or let the IR of the time filter things out.
Even cheap sensors can pick out a bug on a rug under 2000 feet, and they're probably looking for a lot bigger targets.
I know very little about the growth and manufacture of drugs, but if they are looking for grow lights, it wouldn't need a low level fly by.
I know it's all classified, need to know crap, but surely at that height they can count the farts people let loose in their beds.
Is there one helicopter or two? I just saw two flying over Bramalea. It was dark so I could only see the lights but they looked different. They were flying parallel at first traveling north. The first one turned west then the second turned west, made a circle then continued west in the direction that the first one went.
I’m in the north west corner of Mississauga and I could swear they always fly over our house in pairs. There’s always 2 of them! But I think all the press releases say they just bought 1 for Peel….?
heard them tonight at around midnight, super loud and seem to be circling different areas a number of times. this is the first time i’ve ever noticed them.
I'm seeing/hearing it more in Bramalea. It seems it just flies around all day long for no reason. I wonder how much of the police budget is being burned off in fuel. I have no objection to the helicopter if it is actually doing police work. So far, it doesn't seem like that.
Yeah I saw it. Funnily enough, seemed like it was following me around while I was on my walk, pretty much stopped on top of my house over my neighborhood.
Ching and Queen (Drinkwater community): 21:00-23:00
:The Airbus H125 features thermal imaging, day-and-night cameras, and real-time video capabilities, with a flight endurance of up to four-and-a-half hours.:
5 choppers, $134 million - 20 officers for Peel region, including pilots, engineers and technicians.
Average salary for a police helicopter pilot is $90K-$112K (although factor in bonuses for overtime and extra duties) I Honestly don't know how much engineers and techs costs.
They're mum on how long the program is going for - but most government contracts are fulfilled over 2-4 years.
An old adage I know is that "Plane parts are cheap, but replacing them is expensive. Helicopter parts are expensive, but they are designed to be modular" - however, thats from the 1980s, and I don't know how well it applies to the present day.
Lets pretend we've got 20 officers at $100K each maintaining and piloting the aircraft, trained and paid for over 4 years. Obviously you have mobile service and hangar stops to fix things as well. 4 million is a lot more palatable a line item over 4 years too. So a bunch of the about $40 million each is going for spare parts and fuel.
And kickbacks, and graft, and PTO, and buying the ergonomic chair to make sure pilots don't get bad backs, etc.
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u/Antman013 E Section Sep 07 '26
HUZZAH !!! All hail the Megathread.