Yes,


Drones Are Also a Trend


In describing the trends previously, we steered clear of drones. It is now time to include them among the trends affecting LE aviation, because unmanned aircraft are catching on with first responder agencies nationwide.


“Drones are starting to take a more prominent role in law enforcement and public safety aviation,” said Schwarzbach said. “The good side is that many law enforcement agencies that didn’t have manned aircraft now have access to an aerial


asset. I am also seeing agencies that have manned aircraft operating unmanned aircraft as complements to their units.”


There are many ways that drones can aid manned aircraft operations. “We’ve seen an uptick in drone operations for our SWAT units,” said San Diego Deputy Dollard. “In the past, when they would go to hit a house, SWAT would use us. But now they’re transitioning into using drones when they can, because drones are quieter.”


Drones allow LE aviation units to save their manned helicopters for more complex missions such as search and rescue, where being able to physically land medics and lift victims to safety are key. In turn, using drones to perform aerial surveillance lowers per-mission costs at a time when budgets are tight.


Photo by Clarence Tabb, Jr., Detroit News 72 May/June 2019


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