How Law Enforcement Drone Technology Has Transformed Police Work

Law enforcement drones are transforming the way the police do their job. With the constant innovation of futuristic mobile technologies, these drones are seeing an increase in law enforcement usage. Not since the introduction of body cameras has there been such a systemic change. These unmanned aerial vehicles offer a wide variety of practical applications for law enforcement agencies. They are being used by hundreds of police departments across the country. On a small scale, they provide officers with airborne capabilities previously out of reach. For larger agencies, these vehicles have significantly reduced expenses for large operational units. Police departments large and small continue to implement drones into their operations to protect and serve. Here are some of the ways that law enforcement drone technology has transformed police work.

Traffic Accident Reconstruction

Police officers are using drones to reconstruct traffic accidents. After an accident, officers are responsible for clearing and securing the scene. This cannot be done, however, until the scene is documented. Law enforcement drones have radically improved the way that police document traffic accidents. These UAVs capture comprehensive aerial footage of an accident scene. This allows forensic analysts to reconstruct accidents digitally to determine what happened. Drones are particularly useful for capturing fluid trails from crashed vehicles that are difficult to spot using other reconstruction methods. These drones also can cover a large distance in a short time. This allows officers to capture accidents and clean them up more efficiently. Law enforcement drones have transformed the way that officers handle traffic accidents.

Disaster Site Surveys

Law enforcement drones have also revolutionized the way that departments survey disaster sites. Drones provide officers with a real-time view of the damage on the ground. They can be used to survey the aftermath of a flood, storm, earthquake, or other major disasters. The data collected by these drones can help direct resources to where they are needed most. First responders and emergency personnel gain valuable information about the scene they are entering. This helps them avoid risks to protect themselves and others. After Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017, for example, the authorities used drones to evaluate damage and survey flooded neighborhoods. These law enforcement drones were also used to look for people who may have been trapped in homes or vehicles. Drones are improving the way that enforcement agencies survey disaster sites.

Bomb Investigations

Drones have also provided significant improvements to bomb investigations. These UAVs are being used to access potential explosive devices. This way, the bomb squad is kept out of harms way. These aerial views provide an initial assessment of suspicious packages. These drones can be used to assess proximity, monitor risk, or even preform drone roof inspections. This helps agencies rule out threats before resources are wasted or lives are lost. Although drones cannot touch or manipulate bombs, these assignments are crucial in these situations. Law enforcement drones provide decision-makers with real time data. Armed with this data, they can decide how to proceed in a bomb threat situation. Law enforcement drones are revolutionizing bomb investigations for police agencies.

Crowd Monitoring

Another practical application for law enforcement drones is in crowd monitoring. This is particularly useful for maintaining the safety of all large event attendees. Events such as concerts, parades, and sports games are managed more efficiently using drones. The police maintain a real-time aerial view of the crowd to assess any threats. If there is one, they are better able to identify a perpetrator in a large group using drone surveillance. If someone commits a crime and runs through the mass of people, these drone perspectives allow the police to track the suspect through the crowd without endangering bystanders. Additionally, this perspective also allows officers to see if there is anyone in the crowd who needs assistance so they can notify backup when this is the case. Law enforcement drones have made crowd monitoring more efficient for police officers.

Search And Rescue

Lastly, law enforcement drones are improving search and rescue procedures for police officers. The aerial footage gathered by droned is useful for locating missing people and animals. They can be used to find elderly people who wander away from their homes. Drones can also be deployed to locate lost hikers. Law enforcement drones have thermal cameras that pick up heat signatures. This makes them particularly useful for nighttime searches. Drones also help locate crash victims who have been thrown from a car. These victims can thus receive live saving medical attention more quickly. Law enforcement drones are revolutionizing search and rescue procedures for police officers.

Drone deployment is radically changing police work. With law enforcement drone features, officers can better manage and assess traffic accident scenes. Drones provide officers with real-time footage of disaster sites. Agencies use drones to assess threat levels during bomb investigations. They are particularly useful for monitoring large crowds efficiently. Drones also have numerous applications in search and rescue procedures. These are just some of the ways that law enforcement drone technology has transformed police work.