Wendell Police present drone program to board citing search, crash reconstruction and overwatch uses

The Wendell Police Department demonstrated a new drone program to the board and summarized the agency’s proposed policy, training and equipment standards.

Sergeant Williams, representing the department, said the program includes a written policy that aligns with federal and state law and CALEA accreditation guidance and sets qualifications, training and documentation requirements for drone pilots. “There are four main reasons we would use a drone. First and foremost, locating missing and endangered individuals,” Williams said, and added that drones can reduce risk to officers when searching for suspects, improve traffic-crash and crime-scene reconstructions via aerial photography and 3D renderings, and provide overwatch during special operations and large events.

Williams described capabilities including FLIR thermal sensors, LIDAR distance measurements and digital telephoto zoom on the cameras, and said the department will maintain training, maintenance and documentation standards for any deployments. He said one operational example is faster and safer location of missing people in extreme heat or cold, and another is using aerial images to reconstruct serious crashes.

Board members observed a demonstration and asked no substantive questions during the session. Staff said the policy that accompanies the program addresses authorization, documentation and pilot qualifications; further operational details and any public privacy protections are contained in the written policy provided in the packet.