The mayor of Winnipeg expressed concern about the use of a police helicopter in the filming of the film

Mayor Brian Bowman expressed concern after police flew an Air-1 helicopter to LaSalle for use on a movie shoot.

Winnipeg police confirmed on Friday that the $3.5 million helicopter flew into the community about 20 kilometers south of Winnipeg in December. This helicopter was used to film The Missing Pieces starring Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad.

Bowman, the mayor's spokeswoman, relayed his concerns to Winnipeg Police Chief Danny Smith, asking for an explanation of how the decision was made and what police policy is regarding the allocation and deployment of the chopper in such situations.

“Allocation and deployment of police resources are operational police service decisions,” the spokesperson said in an email to CBC News. “The police helicopter is a highly specialized piece of equipment whose use should be limited to supporting police and public safety operations.”

WPS told CBC News on Friday that the total flight time was 72 minutes and that it was no more than a few seconds over the city limits.

Police also said the request to use the helicopter came from the city's manager of film and special events, and that the cost of the helicopter contract was “estimated on a cost-recovery basis only.” Police said the Air-1 was not used to transport passengers, cargo or lift anything for filming.

In 2016, the annual operating cost of the helicopter was $1.9 million.