The Michigan State Police (MSP) has selected CNC Technologies—an aviation technology and wireless communications company that serves the law enforcement, military and government markets—to deploy a state-of-the-art mobile video network to support the department’s advanced UAS program.
The new technology is meant to speed and improve the ability of MSP to share actionable aerial intelligence. It is also meant to “secure transmission of real-time video and data from the department’s airborne assets to officers and partner agencies across the region.”
Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement
Ohio's Franklin County Sheriff's Office uses UAS to locate stolen ATV
According to NBC4 Columbus, a UAS was recently used to locate a stolen ATV in Franklin County, Ohio.
After receiving a call from someone reporting that their ATV was stolen, deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office deployed their UAS and followed tire tracks that led from the area to an abandoned house, where deputies found the ATV.
The ATV was reportedly a recent gift for a young boy.
“End result, one happy kid!” read a Facebook post from the sheriff's office.
UAS keeping citizens safe in Hampton, Virginia
Hampton, Virginia’s police and fire departments are utilizing UAS to keep citizens safe.
The city has a Joint Police/Fire Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Unit, consisting of six firefighters and six police officers. All members of the unit are cross-trained, meaning that police officers can do what the firefighters are trained to do and vice versa.
The joint unit can use its UAS for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to, fighting fires, post-disaster assessments, and locating high-risk suspects on the run.
Chino Police Department purchases two new UAS
After purchasing two UAS in October 2017, California’s Chino Police Department has purchased two more UAS to add to its fleet.
The UAS, which were purchased by the City of Chino for a combined $64,000, weigh approximately 10 pounds. They are equipped with sirens, blue and red lights, and have infrared and zoom cameras.
“It’s a game changer,” says Lt. Aaron Kelliher, leader of Chino Police’s drone program, via the Chino Champion. “One camera has a 30 times optical zoom and six time digital zoom camera, which gives us the ability to see an object in detail.”
K2 Unmanned Systems releases first American made Law Enforcement tactical UAS
During the 29th Annual APSA Fly In Training, K2 Unmanned Systems LLC, which is a California-based commercial UAS manufacturer, flight ops and training company, unveiled its Knight Hawk UAS. The company says that the Knight Hawk is the first American made Law Enforcement tactical drone.
Designed with first responder operations and infrastructure inspection in mind, the Knight Hawk UAS is equipped with a variety of features including high pound payload capacity, infrared optics, and encrypted HD video downlink; all of which make it a useful tool in critical situations.
Kansas State Polytechnic offering UAS training to Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism employees
Thanks to a partnership with Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus, 30 Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism employees will receive UAS training from May through June.
The employees will attend small UAS (sUAS) Commercial Remote Pilot Training and then be eligible to sit for the FAA exam to become certified as remote pilots in command. 18 Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism staff members will complete Basic Multirotor Training, allowing them to become proficient in basic aircraft maneuvers and safety procedures.
Liberty County Sheriff's Office establishing aviation unit to utilize UAS
In Liberty, Texas, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office has announced that it is establishing an aviation unit and utilizing small UAS for a variety of operations.
Using funds secured through court-awarded confiscated drug money, the agency purchased a Phantom 4 Pro Plus small UAS. The UAS was put into full operation the week of April 16, and has been placed under the command of the Special Operation Division of the Sheriff’s Office.
In a press release published on KFDM.com, Sheriff Bobby Rader explains the process that went into launching this program.
UAS headed to the skies of Vigo County, Indiana
A partnership between the Vigo County Emergency Management Agency and the Vigo County Sheriff's Office in Vigo County, Indiana has resulted in the purchase of three UAS.
The UAS, which are available for use by both agencies, as well as for any public safety agency or government agency, are equipped with a camera and thermal imaging abilities.
The UAS can be used for a variety of operations, including surveying and search and rescue missions.
Rockford Police Department adds UAS to its operations
In an effort to “benefit the community and enhance officer safety,” the Rockford Police Department in Rockford, Illinois will begin using UAS.
Donated by Illinois Drone-One, Inc., the new UAS will be used for a variety of purposes, including speeding up the investigation of serious and fatal vehicle crash scenes.
After serious accidents, roads are usually closed for hours so that photographs and measurements can be taken. By using UAS to capture video and photographs, though, the data can be downloaded into software which will provide “to-scale measurements” in a significantly shorter time frame than traditional investigation methods.
Leavenworth Police Department purchases two UAS
The Leavenworth Police Department in Leavenworth, Kansas has purchased two UAS.
Equipped with video cameras but absent of infrared technology—that technology can be purchased, though—the UAS can be used for a variety of tasks, including providing aerial perspectives of large crime scenes or accident scenes, and helping search for children and disabled adults who have wandered off.
The UAS, which were purchased for a total of $4,467, can also be used for tactical purposes, Nicodemus says, as they can provide an additional set of eyes and vantage that officers otherwise would not have during tactical situations.