By Sarah Klein

The Winnipeg Police Service Air 1 helicopter (CHRISD.CA FILE)
Winnipeg police are crediting its Air 1 helicopter with assisting in 185 arrests on the ground in 2012, and responding to 3,445 incidents.
During the same year, the police service’s eye in the sky helped the RCMP, Morden Police Service and Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit.
The crime-fighting EC-120 Colibri helicopter took to the skies in 2011 and is budgeted to fly 1,000 hours per year, weather permitting.
In the past year, it has assisted ground units with traffic stops, break and enters, robbery and assault incidents, and other tasks.