The Crimefighter Drone - The Crime Report (2024)

Any time a new technology is introduced into the world of law enforcement, it is met with skepticism.

One of the most hot-button topics in law enforcement is the use of drones for surveillance and as a response to criminal activity. The benefits of drones are apparent, but critics are exaggerating the potential they have to be abused.

The widespread adoption of drone technology is driven by features and capabilities that make it more efficient than the human eye. People are limited by their perception, but the technology with which many drones come installed allows them to address these crimes effectively.

It’s a great initial measure to help law enforcement determine an appropriate overall response.

Modern drones are equipped with several propellers that help them travel more quickly and maneuver more effectively. When dealing with human teams, the amount of space that can be covered in any given period is limited.

Given the speed with which these drones can operate, the amount of ground they can cover in the same amount of time is increased, allowing law enforcement to respond to a situation in a far more timely manner.

The cameras and sensors on drone technology are also helpful for law enforcement. These days, drones come with high-quality cameras that produce images reliable enough to be used by law enforcement.

If a drone catches a criminal in the act, they can be used as evidence in the right circ*mstances, or these high-quality images can help identify the suspect in cases where they escape.

Thermal imaging is another tool that can greatly assist law enforcement. If a suspect is trying to hide, finding them using traditional search techniques can be challenging. With a drone using thermal imaging, it is possible to find suspects by the body heat they give off.

This effectively allows law enforcement to see through any obstacles a suspect uses to evade them, leading to a more efficient capture.

And, of course, all of these images captured by the drones can be transmitted instantaneously. Live image tracking is essential in allowing law enforcement to respond to situations as they arise.

This live footage can be integral in tracking a suspect and deploying teams on foot to the correct location to apprehend the suspect. Drones are much more effective at keeping up with a suspect than older technology such as helicopters.

The battery life of drone technology has also increased significantly in recent years. When drones were introduced, they couldn’t last for long because of the limitations of their hardware.

Now, drones don’t have to recharge as frequently, meaning they can be used on much longer missions. This is perhaps the single most important innovation that has happened to allow drones to be a primary way of responding rather than another additional tool at their disposal.

The undeniable benefit of drones is that they are much safer for law enforcement officers. Drone operators can be located a safe distance away from the situation as long as it is within the necessary range to operate the machinery.

This is a marked improvement compared to human responders who have to be on the scene in the heart of danger. This makes drones a perfect solution for active situations that are especially dangerous.

A recent innovation in drone technology is the ability to simulate crimes. Drones can map and recreate crime scenes, allowing investigators to see them from a new perspective that was previously unavailable to them.

The result is a more comprehensive perspective on the aftermath of a crime and will hopefully lead to cases being solved more efficiently. And with drone technology continually improving, the law enforcement industry can expect these capabilities to expand.

The role that drones could play in crime prevention should also not be discounted. The fact that drones are used for surveillance is a deterrent for criminals in and of itself.

The adage of “a watched pot never boils” means that less crime is committed when it comes to crime. If criminals feel like they are going to get caught by drones, which is likely, given the field’s developments, they might not commit the crime in the first place.

However, there are critics of using drone technology. Some argue that a system of potentially constant surveillance through drones could result in a Big Brother-like police state.

But ultimately, any technology can be abused. It is important to hold law enforcement accountable when they are utilizing these tools so that they may continue to be used to keep the community safe.

One step that has been taken to ensure that law enforcement does not abuse drones is to require a warrant before allowing them to be operated for searches.

This helps alleviate some of the anxieties of those who argue that unmanned aerial surveillance will result in an unsafe level of policing because it does not allow law enforcement to deploy drones in cases without just cause to use them.

But the issue with this type of regulation to drone usage by law enforcement is that it prohibits drones from being used in more agreeable public safety situations. In events where large crowds are present, drone technology can be used to monitor the public and make sure that no wrongdoing will occur.

Another step that can and should be taken to ensure that law enforcement is held accountable is requiring them to share data about their use of drones. Transparency is vital in the adoption of new technologies, and so law enforcement agencies should be willing to share information about how they use drone technology in their operations.

This will allow them to show the public the statistics behind the benefits of drones and alleviate critics’ concerns.

No one would deny that there need to be certain protections to prevent drone technology from being abused by law enforcement, but their advantages are significantly greater than their vulnerabilities.

If appropriate actions are taken, this technology can result in a much safer community, both for law enforcement officers and members of the public.

Additional Reading: Strategies for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Law Enforcement Unmanned Aircraft System Programs (Police Executive Research Forum and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services:Community Engagement, March 2022)

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Shaun Passley is the Founder of ZenaTech, which owns the ZenaDrone technology, and is the founder of EPAZZ, Inc.’s software and product development which includes the design, research, and development of ZenaDrone and future products and services.