Kenneth Solosky - Police Aviation

Police Aviation
with Kenneth Solosky

Kenneth J. Solosky retired from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 2007 after twenty one years of service as a Lieutenant/Chief Pilot/Director of Training in the Aviation Unit. His other assignments within the police department have included: patrol, patrol sergeant, patrol platoon commander, the Warrant Division and Police Academy instructor. Ken is licensed as a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) in both airplanes & helicopters and is a certified helicopter flight instructor.

Ken has ratings as an advanced ground and instrument ground instructor. Ken is a certified New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) currently serving as an EMT and Commissioner in the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps Inc. After retirement from the NYPD, he was appointed the Chief Pilot for the Newark, NJ Police Department Aviation Unit. He flies part-time with “Hoverviews Unlimited”, the premier aerial cinematography company on the east coast of the United States and with a nationally known architectural firm operating a Falcon 10 and Cessna 421 airplane. He also works part-time as an instructor in the North Shore/Long Island Jewish Health System Emergency Management and Corporate Security Departments.

Ken is the founder, president and lead instructor for Code Red Training Inc., an aviation, emergency medical, safety and security training company.

During his assignment to the NYPD Aviation Unit, Ken held the position of Operations Supervisor as a Sergeant, Director of Flight Operations, Director of Training, Integrity Control Officer & Chief Pilot as a Lieutenant.

Ken has taught and lectured domestically and internationally in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada and China on training, counter-terrorism, personnel issues, leadership, and airborne law enforcement operations. In addition, Ken writes monthly columns, titled “Police Airborne Operations” for Officer.com, and “Police Aviation” for LawOfficer.com, two online law enforcement magazines. He is also a regular contributor to the Airborne Law Enforcement Association’s magazine “Airbeat” and “Professional Pilot” magazine. He has also written articles in various law enforcement/emergency response magazines.

Ken has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from St. John’s University in New York and is pursuing his Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice at the City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Ken is an avid musician, having played the drums since he was a young boy. He is proud to have represented the NYPD in musical performances on the “Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, “Good Morning America”, the World Festival of Police Concert Bands in Tokyo, Japan and every major New York City Parade including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Ken is a lifelong resident of Mineola, NY where he resides with his beautiful wife Susan, and their two wonderful sons; Kenneth and Patrick. They serve as the lights of his life.

Contact Ken Solosky

The role of police air units in domestic counterterrorism - 08/23/2010

Working together with aviation, maritime, and SWAT - 03/05/2010 Comments

Airplanes are still a vital tool in law enforcement - 12/14/2009

Airborne police struggle with laser threat - 07/29/2009 Comments

Getting your department’s aviation unit off the ground - 03/26/2009

Airborne police unit models - 01/25/2009

More than 750 NYPD officers respond via air, sea, land to downed flight - 01/16/2009 Comments

Working with your airborne LE partners - 11/24/2008

A primer on police aviation - 09/27/2008 Comments

Tip: Use air support to run thieves back to you - 07/22/2009

Tip: Let them think the chopper is gone - 04/22/2009

Tip: Using air patrol in vehicle pursuits - 02/04/2009

Tip: Cop or bad guy? Help them know from the air. - 12/15/2008

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