Miami-Dade Police Department

The Miami-Dade Police Department Aviation Unit was established in 1960, originally under the jurisdiction of the Dade County Sheriffs Office, before the formation of the MDPD. It began with a single Bell 47 helicopter and has since evolved into one of the most advanced and active law enforcement aviation units in the southeastern United States.

Following the restructuring of county law enforcement in 1966, the aviation unit became an integral part of the newly created MDPD Special Patrol Bureau. Its primary mission has long included aerial support for patrol operations, search and rescue, surveillance, fugitive apprehension, and disaster response.

The unit is based at Opa-locka Executive Airport, a strategically located facility that enables rapid response across Miami-Dade County. It works in close coordination with ground patrol, SWAT, K-9, and marine units, and frequently supports multi-agency operations with federal, state, and local partners.

Over the decades, the unit has steadily evolved in both capability and technology. From its early days flying the Bell 47 and JetRanger series, it transitioned to more advanced platforms like the Bell 407, enhancing speed, safety, and operational range. In recent years, the department has continued modernizing its fleet with the acquisition of Airbus H125 helicopters—high-performance aircraft widely used in law enforcement.

1960s: Bell 47 — the unit’s first aircraft, used for basic observation and patrol.
1970s–1980s: Bell 206 JetRanger — added for improved speed, reliability, and mission versatility.
1990s–2000s: Bell 407 — introduced with upgraded powerplant and avionics, supporting high-performance tactical missions.
2024: Airbus H125 — acquisition of four helicopters began, positioning the unit for modernized, mission-ready operations.

From Department to Sheriff

For decades, Miami-Dade County stood alone in Florida as the only jurisdiction without an elected sheriff. This unique status dates back to 1966, when the county abolished the Office of the Sheriff and established the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD). Since then, law enforcement leadership has been exercised by a police director appointed by the county mayor.

This model began to shift with the passage of Amendment 10 in 2018, a state constitutional amendment approved by Florida voters. The amendment requires all counties to elect five constitutional officers, including a sheriff—ending Miami-Dade’s longstanding exemption.

To comply, the county initiated a multi-year transition. A major milestone came with the election of Rosie Cordero-Stutz in 2024, selected to become Miami-Dade’s first sheriff in more than 50 years. She officially assumed her constitutional post on January 7, 2025, initiating the formal transition to an elected, sheriff-led system. However, full administrative and operational control is expected to be transferred gradually and completed by 2028.

Present Operations

The aviation unit, which operates a modern fleet of helicopters, maintains two primary bases to provide comprehensive coverage across Miami-Dade County:

- Opa-locka Executive Airport – serving the northern part of the county
- Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport – serving the southern part of the county

This dual-base model ensures rapid response depending on the location of an incident, though either base is fully capable of servicing the entire county as needed.

As of 2025, the Miami-Dade Police Department remains operational but is undergoing an active reorganization into what will become the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO). The transformation involves not only a shift in leadership, but also extensive changes in structure, authority, and oversight mechanisms. Full implementation of the new sheriff’s office framework is anticipated by 2028. Once complete, Miami-Dade will join the rest of Florida’s counties in aligning with the constitutionally mandated governance model—marking the end of a decades-long exception and ushering in a new era of locally elected law enforcement leadership.