Tulsa PD breaks ground on new police heliport

Photo Credit: City of Tulsa

Written By: John Dobberstein

(TULSA, Okla.) The Tulsa Police Department held a groundbreaking Monday for a new heliport that city officials said would be a “game-changer” for public safety in Tulsa. 

Read this story on the Broken Arrow Sentinel here. 

The department said the facility will help improve response times, officer safety and emergency response capabilities.

The heliport will be constructed next to the Tulsa Police Academy, 6066 E. 66th Street North. It will feature a hangar for 3 helicopters, a taxiway, landing pad, offices, restrooms, shower, kitchen, ready room, training and conference room, as well as a mechanics shop, parts storage and facility parking.

Funding for the project was made possible thanks to a collaboration between the American Rescue Plan Act, Hardesty Family Foundation, Chapman Foundation and city capital funding.

Construction is scheduled to be done in May 2025.  

“Having a heliport at the Tulsa Police Academy will be a great asset for the Tulsa Police Department’s Air Support Unit,” Tulsa Mayor G. T. Bynum said. “Helicopter air support is a force multiplier and is crucial for officer safety in the work that the Tulsa Police Department does every day to protect our city.”  

“The Chapman Foundation is honored to support the Tulsa Police Department’s Heliport project,” said Chapman Foundation Trustee Donne Pitman. “This modern facility for the Police Air Support Unit will help to maximize use of police helicopters in team efforts with officers on the ground, thereby increasing public safety in Tulsa.”