NSBA Network Series – Breakfast “Hidden in Plain Sight” with Sgt. Wade Bourassa, Pilot Air Support Unit of Saskatoon Police Service (Oct 28, 2022)

Join Sgt. Wade Bourassa as he guides us through how the Saskatoon Police Service are leveraging airborne technology to quickly and safely locate missing and wanted people and leading the way while doing it.

Sgt. Wade Bourassa has served as a police officer for the Saskatoon Police Service for 23 years and is currently a Sergeant in charge of the Air Support Unit. Since 2013 as a pilot and Tactical Flight Officer, Sgt. Bourassa has worked to re-invent the Air 1 program in Saskatoon. Since 2013 arrests have increased by 264% with criminal charges increasing by 308%. Criminal pursuits managed are up by 629% with a decrease in budget.  Wade has a unique perspective and experience using a fixed wing aircraft for patrol support and SAR on a really tight budget. He takes pride in finding innovative ways to do things that work.  SPS Air 1 is the only law enforcement aircraft in Saskatchewan and has significant experience searching for vulnerable missing and wanted people in a range of environments.

Wade was the 2016 recipient of the APSA fixed wing operator of the year award and is an IFR rated commercial pilot. He is the former Canadian Regional Director for the Airborne Public Safety Association “(APSA)”. APSA is a 50+ year old organization that provides safety training for airborne Police, SAR, Fire and Medical evacuation units.