Wiltshire Police special constables lead drone trial
Wiltshire Police in the UK has announced the launch of its Unmanned Aviation Support Group pilot.
Wiltshire Police in the UK has announced the launch of its Unmanned Aviation Support Group (UASG) pilot. The service also said that if the pilot is successful, it will work to become an accredited training centre for a police-specific UAV course.
Chief Constable Mike Veale began looking into the use of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) is 2016 to augment the manned helicopter cover provided by the National Police Aviation Service (NPAS), noted the force. He recognised that members of the Special Constabulary already had extensive experience in this area, and decided to harness their experience by asking these part-time volunteer officers to take the lead on the project.
Members of the Special Constabulary and one regular police officer have been professionally trained in the use of UAVs and the proper licences have been obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Special Superintendent Scott Bateman has led the project and swiftly brought the aircraft into service, said Wiltshire Police.
Chief Constable Mike Veale commented: “Wiltshire Police is always looking to embrace technology and be innovative in our approach, so I am delighted to be able to welcome in UAVs. This is also a fantastic opportunity for us to draw on the skills and enthusiasm of the incredible volunteers in our Special Constabulary. They have made an outstanding effort to do the training and get the required licences to provide what can be a key resource for the Force.”
Throughout the trial, the UAVs will assist operational policing, enhancing officer and public safety by giving an aerial overview and in conducting searches for missing people, said the service. Wiltshire Police noted that the drones can access areas a helicopter cannot, like low levels or densely wooded areas. The service said its vehicles can be used at night with heat seeking capability, and can fly in cloudy/windy conditions.
Project lead Special Superintendent Scott Bateman said: “My team are really enthusiastic about the project and have put a great deal of time and effort into making the pilot a success … The users will comply with CAA regulations in the same way that anyone else who flies a UAV must do so. Any footage that is captured is treated in the same way as any other footage (CCTV) or still images and is subject to the same codes of practice and laws.”
Bateman explained that whenever the police UAV is in use, officers will display ‘police UAV in use’ signs in the area, and the pilots will wear police uniform with ‘police UAV pilot’ marked on their outerwear. He added: “We are determined to make sure that the UASG is a valued tool for the force over the coming months.”
Superintendant Dave Minty, Wiltshire Police head of HQ Operations, said: “We are looking forward to seeing the benefits of this new tool and the advantages of using UAVs in the fight against crime and to enhance officer and community safety. This is another fantastic example of the value of our volunteers in the Special Constabulary; all the work in setting up the pilot, organising training and the proper insurance and licences has been done by Special Supt Bateman and his team. They are a real credit to the Force and the communities they serve alongside regular officers and staff.”
Special Constables undertake a variety of different roles in their day jobs and have the same powers as regular officers. They all give at least 16 hours a month, many volunteer for many more hours, and get involved in all areas of policing.