Are the spotlights on helicopters controlled manually or via computer?

They are gyro-stabilized, manually controlled

By a spotter not the pilot (he has his hands full as it is I imagine)

I’d have so much fun playing with one of those lights. Or a helicopter, for that matter.

@MrKnowItAll So as the pilot circles, the spotter compensates?

It depends upon the sophistication of the camera/spotlight platform. If you were following a car, the car can be placed in crosshairs, and the system will lock on and track the car. (as well as launch a Hellfire Missile)

A helicopter pilot has both hands and both feet engaged with the controls. If the spotlight control is done manually, it’s being done by an observer.

The pilot also has to keep his head up and about to maintain situational awareness. Trees, tall buildings, power lines and such all offer hazards to a low-flying helicopter. So in order to be effective at all, you need to have an observer on board to handle the actual search and tracking of suspects.

Here is a video I found off-hand just now. It would appear San Diego Police have FLIR, so night tracking can be done without spotlights.

(WARNING: video contains a fatility)

Pomona, CA police dept. video showing of their shiny new MD-500E