AZ Department of Public (DPS) Aircraft

[Jeff D. Welker]

My Friends:

I took the awful iPhone photo attached below at Sky Harbor on 04/25/2018.  A quick review of the FAA registry shows it is owned by AZ DPS.  It looks like a MC-12 platform to me, but I temper that conclusion with the knowledge that I'm the dumbest guy in the room when it comes to aircraft identification.  The FAA registry says the plane (SN: FL-432) was manufactured in 2005.  While it doesn’t list a prior owner, I can’t imagine DPS has been flying this for 15 years.  I’m guessing (emphasis on guessing) that they got this through some type of military exchange or surplus program?  I just don’t understand why DPS needs this type of sophisticated surveillance aircraft?  Maybe they have some Federal grant money burning a hole in their pocket and want to play secret agent?  I suppose they could also be coordinating some type of DEA or ICE work that justifies such an asset?

Any who, I figured if anyone would know what is up with this airframe, it would be folks from AzAP.

Your thoughts...

[scottcolbath]

temper that conclusion with the knowledge that I'm the dumbest guy in the room when it comes to aircraft identification.

Sorry Jeff, I'm not letting you steal that thunder from me. 

S.C.

[wingsnstuff]

Jeff

Here's the link that will provide some background on this aircraft.  https://kingairnation.com/commuter-air-technology-outfits-king-air-b300-for-arizona-department-of-public-safety/

[Joe Copalman]

Seems a bit excessive for an agency tasked with highway safety.  Something with the speed of a King Air could make them far more responsive to things like Lojack hits on stolen vehicles, and the sensor could all them to coordinate intercepts with ground units from longer ranges, but is this really something we NEED? 

[Jeff D. Welker]

Thanks Harvard and Joseph for you comments and info.  Far be it from me to second guess the fine folks at AZ DPS, it does seem like overkill to make sure I'm not speeding in the school zone near my house 

[Jay Beckman]

I'll temper myself and avoid a rant but unfortunately, certain tasks (which maybe should be done at the Federal level) have trickled down to state and local law enforcement.