delcotimes.com
'The new policing': Drone technology a 'game changer' for Delaware County police
A “game changer” is how Delaware County police leaders are describing police drones. While drones have been available to departments for over 10 years, improved technology and particularly remote piloting, allows drones to be a front-line tool for officers. Departments are now using drones for early reporting of calls, searches, tracking suspects, 3-D accident reconstruction, even guiding criminals to officers. Upper Darby In the Upper Darby Police Department, officers are now able to launch a drone from the roof of their station on West Chester Pike to respond to calls quicker than officers could physically arrive. Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt said his department’s seven drones are part of more than $1 million that the township has invested in technology to help to reduce crime. “The capability to launch a drone directly to calls is a first in Delaware County, ” Bernhardt said. In the region Philadelphia and Bensalem have similar capabilities. Bernhardt said that in the near future his department hopes to link with the Delaware County 911 Center allowing the drone to be automatically launched on certain calls. As of now, when a call comes in, officers in the department’s criminal intelligence unit who are FAA certified pilots can launch...
