The use cases of drones equipped with optical, zoom, and thermal camera features are increasingly allowing law enforcement agents to be more effective at work.

FREMONT, CA: Drone usage is expanding to new sectors and providing value that previously could have only been imagined. Law enforcement departments all over the globe use drones as part of their crime-fighting arsenal. From monitoring emergencies to assisting in finding missing people in rescue mission law enforcement departments are utilizing drone technology in innovative and life-saving ways. Directing drone developments to cater to the demands of law enforcement departments can open new streams of revenue for CIOs. Here are specific benefits CIOs can gain with drone technology to specifically cater to the needs of law enforcement and police departments.  

• Thermal Imaging

A thermal imaging camera on a drone is a powerful tool. Drones use vision imaging cameras by detecting heat coming from all objects and materials and then turning them to useful images and videos. Drones with onboard thermal cameras save time, money, and are also a very safe way for surveillance. It is now a must-have piece for law enforcement officers and force. Thermal imaging is far more than night vision. When combined with thermal camera drone can be the eyes of dark, helping officers to complete their mission even at night.

• Mapping Locations

Law enforcement and police agencies continue to find some new and unique ways to utilize drone technology. They use aerial data to map highly frequented locations in cities such as malls and educational institutions. In the event of any law violation or criminal activity, the orthomosaic mapping feature of drones can help them to understand better the specific situations they will be facing when they arrive on the spot. With this, officers can prepare themselves to act accordingly. Orthomosaic mapping gives a detailed, accurate photo representation of an area created out of several photos that have been put together and geometrically corrected so that it is valid as a map.

• Documentation

In some instances, safety or law officers may not get enough time to analyze a scene or a person.  Drone technology can help recreate a scene by a measurable and navigable map. This works far better than animated recreations that have been used from years now. This kind of documentation helps to analyze a crime scene or law violation better and more accurately. Drones can also do the same with the scene of an automobile accident or traffic violation. With the 3D mapping provided by drones, officers can quickly and accurately put together data about the incident, which takes less time than manual measurements and documentation. Drone mapping takes only a fraction of the time of conventional scene documentation or terrain identification methods.

• Surveillance

Surveillance drones allow law enforcement and police officers to scout areas where violation happens. The use of drone technology in such situations could give alert to an officer performing routine surveillance and help combat the problem. It offers a new point of view for monitoring areas that may otherwise have no favorable position to conduct the operation without being spotted. Flying a drone provides the best opportunity to get a detailed view of the area without compromising safety. Aerial data collected by the drone can help direct the resources where they are needed most and help protect first responders and emergency personal by giving them insights on nature of the incident they are entering to, so they can avoid risks and keep themselves from harm.

In the coming years, with continued commercialization drone will become widespread in law enforcement to provide beneficial assistance, real-time situational awareness, and increase in safety for communities, police officers, and other emergency responders.