Lending chopper to movie shoot puts WPS in hot water

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This article was published 06/01/2018 (3186 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) came under fire Friday, for allowing its helicopter to take part in a recent movie shoot.

The chopper was reportedly flown to the La Salle area last month, to be filmed as part of an upcoming film starring Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul called The Parts You Lose.

“Addressing some recent media commentary, including a statement by the mayor, the Winnipeg Police Service can confirm that the service’s helicopter (Air-1) was used in a film shoot,” the WPS said Friday night in a news release. “The flight time for the actual shoot was 72 minutes, including flight time from the hangar and back.

“It was never more than a few seconds from city limits.”

The WPS said it did so at the request of the City of Winnipeg’s manager of film and special events, and the chopper’s time was paid for.

“The request was assessed and was deemed a low risk… Production contracts are considered confidential; however, our costs were assessed at a cost-recovery basis only,” the WPS statement said.

“At no time did Air-1 carry passengers, cargo or lift anything for the shoot. No incidents requiring Air-1 to divert occurred during its use.”