Are Drones Critical Equipment for Law Enforcement?
/Are Drones Critical Equipment for Law Enforcement?
By Ken Dye
Enter the drone. A “hot” call is received. A drone can be launched almost immediately, arriving at the call before or shortly after the officers.
The drone can survey the area using the on-board infra-red, light, speaker and other capabilities including wireless and seamless data The information can be relayed to the officers or dispatch if the drone sees any suspicious activity. Situational awareness can be enhanced expotenially.
Based on recent FBI statistics, the number of police officers killed in the line of duty has been declining. The number of officers killed in unprovoked or ambush attacks are increasing.
In Euclid, Ohio, a police officer on a domestic call is ambushed by wanted felon. In Brevard County, Fla., a deputy is killed in ambush attack. In Salina, NY (think Syracuse), two officers were killed in yet another ambush attack.
The tactics used by law enforcement in response to a potentially dangerous situation or call are fairly standard. Hell, all law enforcement calls for service or self-initiated activity are potentially dangerous.
Drones have the capability to cover more ground and see more than officers on foot while searching for a suspect.
Additionally, drones have an important place in search and rescue operations.
The howl will rise from the guardians of social justice and those who fret over the potential for misuse. There will be a challenge to every aspect of drones used for police work.
The officers who walk out that front door must be given every opportunity to return.
Drones will become a law enforcement necessity in the near future.
“A Community That Supports Law Enforcement Is a Safe Community.”
Ken Dye is the author of 5 books about crime, cops and bad guys in the St. Louis area. He Blogs under “Cops Perspective” and has over 20,000 followers. Ken served with the St. Louis County Police Department for 13 years and finished his LE career with the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority as the administrator for the statewide MEG’s and Narcotics Task Forces.
