Second police helicopter for southeast Qld

A second police helicopter will begin patrolling Queensland skies from July.

The chopper will be based in Archerfield airport in Brisbane but could be deployed elsewhere if required.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the helicopter was an important tool to prevent, detect and solve crime.

"It has proven valuable in performing a range of policing functions such as searching for offenders and missing persons, identifying drug crops and managing traffic and major events," Commissioner Stewart said.

The first helicopter began operating on the Gold Coast in 2011, after a spate of armed robberies and three fatal shootings in two months, including the slaying of detective Damian Leeding.