Gwent Police in Gwent, Wales has launched its latest UAS.
Gwent Police worked with UAS manufacturers during an eight-month trial to build and test the first bespoke Police drone in Wales, resulting in the Sky Mantis UAS, which will be used for a variety of operations including searches for high-risk missing people, policing large-scale events and disorder, and crime scene photography.
“Across the trial, the drones have proved their worth, saving the force approximately £46,800 across 36 incidents and has also been used in place of helicopters in the appropriate places,” says Inspector Gavin Clifton.
Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement
Cape, Tijuana Public Safety Department launch Mexico's first Drone as a First Responder program
Cape and the Tijuana Public Safety Department have partnered to launched Mexico’s first Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program.
Through the program, two UAS equipped with the Cape Aerial Telepresence platform will be utilized as part of the department’s daily operations to provide access to real-time aerial visibility and intelligence for officer support in both the command center and the field.
During the program, Cape-enabled UAS will support emergency response efforts within a three-kilometer radius of the Tijuana Public Safety Department headquarters. The focus will be on “improving both operational efficiency and the safety of both first responders and the greater Tijuana community,” the entities say.
South Carolina's Oconee County Sheriff's Office purchases UAS
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina has purchased a new UAS.
The UAS will be used in conjunction with the sheriff's office’s helicopter for various operations such as search and rescue missions, locating the elderly as a part of Project Life Saver, and locating potentially dangerous fleeing suspects.
The sheriff’s office says that UAS offer capabilities that helicopters do not for certain missions. UAS take less time to deploy, and they can also help find subjects that are located in areas where an extended aerial view may be limited.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approves Public Safety small UAS program
On Tuesday, May 21, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a Public Safety small UAS program in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Florida's Collier County Sheriff's Office rescues missing man using UAS
In Florida, Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies recently used a UAS to find and safely recover a missing elderly man.
The man became lost for more than two hours after wandering from his residence. After the man failed to return to his residence, the Sheriff’s Office was contacted, and a ground search was conducted by patrol deputies, with help from the K9 Unit, Agriculture Unit, Traffic Unit and Investigations Division. Meanwhile, the Aviation Unit searched for the man by air.
Maryland's Ocean Pines Police Department using UAS to search for missing people
The Ocean Pines Police Department in Ocean Pines, Maryland is now utilizing UAS to search for missing people.
Just last week, the department used its UAS to help in the search of a missing 79-year-old woman. The department also recently had two separate incidents of missing persons within the same week.
“There’s a large retirement population in Ocean Pines and the police department deals with its share of elderly residents with dementia who walk off and are reported missing,” says Sawyer, marketing and public relations director for the Ocean Pines Association.
“These residents need to be found quickly, which is capable with the help of the new unmanned aircraft system.”
Daytona Beach Police Department uses UAS to help apprehend murder suspect
The Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) recently used a UAS to help apprehend a murder suspect.
According to DBPD Officer and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Professor Anthony Galante, the UAS served as a “force multiplier,” providing a lookout for the six-person team trained to apprehend the suspect.
California's Fremont Police locate missing teen using UAS
California’s Fremont Police department recently used a UAS to locate a missing teen.
After being reported missing, the teen’s location was narrowed down with help from the juvenile’s friends. Shortly afterwards, a Fremont Police UAS operator launched a UAS while other officers began searching railroad tracks on foot.
After being guided to the location, the UAS—equipped with a FLIR camera—located a heat spot. Information was being shared to the officers on foot, while the missing juvenile’s friends, also on foot, approached their friend who was hiding in bushes.
Massachusetts' Salisbury Police Department expresses interest in UAS technology
According to the Salem News, a specially equipped UAS is expected to fly over the Salisbury Police Department’s station in Salisbury, Massachusetts next week as part of a demonstration of the technology.
According to Police Chief Thomas Fowler, a Rhode Island-based company is scheduled to visit the station to show what a police UAS could mean for a variety of operations, including rescue operations, inspecting suspicious packages and measuring beach erosion.
Cape and Chula Vista Police Department tout benefits of UAS
Cape and the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) have announced the early results from their Drone as a First Response (DFR) program, which is part of the San Diego UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP).
Since the launch of the program in Oct. 2018, UAS equipped with the Cape Aerial Telepresence platform have conducted more than 282 flights, contributing to 20 arrests in the process.
“The Chula Vista Police Department is at the forefront of utilizing drones to enhance the science of policing,” says Chris Rittler, CEO of Cape.