The Columbus Police Division Helicopter Unit and the Houston Police Department Air Support Division today became the first two airborne units to become accredited through the Airborne Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (ALEAC).

Certification is awarded after an assessment of the entire air support operation according to professional standard guidelines applicable to all airborne law enforcement units.

The new standards were adopted two years ago by ALEAC at Heli-Expo in Anaheim, Calif., as a guide for the creation of new airborne units, as well as to share industry best practices.