Police departments all over the U.S. are now equipped with cutting-edge drones. So, if you’re wondering what police drones are used for, we’ll review a handful of common answers for all departments.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Police drones are FPV (first-person view) models designed to reach normally inaccessible areas.
- Police drones serve as tools in search and rescue, S.W.A.T., and survey/investigation operations.
- Police drones are also often used to support local fire departments or first responders who may not have the technology.
Of course, if you’re looking for more general information about drone technology, you may want to look into what an FPV drone is. If you’re a new drone owner or in the market, you could also look into what happens if a drone goes out of range and what commercial drones are used for.
Insider Tip
Law enforcement departments aren’t authorized to use drones in the field freely without reason.
Drones in Police Work
Police drones come in a variety of types when it comes to technology, just like drones in other professions. What defines them as police drones, then, are the tasks for which they’re most typically used, some of which are somewhat unique to policing.
If you’re in the market for a surveillance drone, check out our comparison of the DJI Phantom 4 Advanced vs Pro models.
Search and Rescue or Missing Persons Cases
FPV (First Person View) drones, often tricopters or quadcopters, are frequently used by police departments nationwide to find missing persons. There are numerous cases of police drones finding people where other methods have failed. Often, drones used have thermal and zoom cameras, making them capable of search functions not possible with any other technology.
Accident or Crime Scene Reconstruction
Using UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) in the reconstruction significantly reduces time spent gathering evidence, allowing for data to be collected in 30 minutes instead of 4 hours. Additionally, some drones can create highly accurate 2D and 3D maps and models for accident investigation, examining things like skid marks, potholes, and other road damage.
Disaster Response
Natural disasters, like floods, forest fires, and tornados, cause massive damage to land and property and can leave survivors stranded in difficult-to-access areas. Drones can close aerial views impossible with helicopters, which are invaluable in assessing damage, monitoring ongoing weather activity, and locating survivors.
Warning
Fixed-wing drones are used for long-range operations and cargo transport but aren’t as maneuverable for many operations as rotor-type drones.
Crowd Control
Drones are sometimes used by police for use during large public events, like concerts, marches, or political conventions, both in the planning stages and during events themselves. Such surveillance isn’t generally done without reason, though different police departments will have different criteria for using UAS regarding public safety.
STAT: As of 2020, at least 1,578 state and local public safety agencies in the U.S. had drones in use. (source)
