Also called: TFO, Police Aviation Observer
Rides in the police helicopter beside the pilot, running the thermal camera and spotlight and guiding officers on the ground to suspects.
TFOs work the helicopter's infrared camera to find a suspect hiding in a backyard at night, read street names to patrol cars over the radio, and plan the safest route for a car chase. They also help pilots watch for power lines. On quiet nights they search for lost hikers or missing kids.
Police pay plus specialty pay in some departments. Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 5 years after high school. Experienced police officer selected for the air unit; aviation and camera training on the job.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Criminal Justice, Aviation.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). BLS police and detectives, 2024-34; this assignment is a small slice (approx.).
Low risk for 10 years. Smarter cameras and drones help; coordinating live pursuits from the air stays human.
Classes: Geography, Physics, Computer science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-3051.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.