bear in the air

a bear in the air

A police officer in an airplane or helicopter. Likely related to highway patrol officers being called "bear," a possible reference to Smokey the Bear (a cartoon character who wears a hat similar to those sometimes worn by the highway patrol). That's a bear in the air! If they shine their spotlight down on us, we're doomed!See also: air, bear

bear in the air

n. a police officer in an airplane or a helicopter. (Citizens band radio.) They’ve got a bear in the air on duty in northern Indiana. See also: air, bear