Drones have become an increasing necessity to law enforcement, and local agencies are taking advantage of the new tech.
The Lassen County sheriff’s office has a small fleet to assist deputies in Search and Rescue and suspect searches. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle team advances how officers locate missing persons during search and rescue missions, in tactical deployment, and in cases where deputies may engage in a foot pursuit or provide the ability to access difficult-to-reach collisions. The drones can also assist in crowd control with built-in speakers and cameras. The Sheriff’s Department has even taken it further and invested in body heat sensors for the drones to aid the deputies in Search and Rescue cases and unknown scenes that could be dangerous.
In neighboring counties like Shasta, The Shasta Sheriff’s department is expanding its UAV program, opening both nonsworn and sworn-in positions for its fleet. Fire agencies as well, such as those in the US Forest Service, have also adopted drone programs to assist in nighttime firefighting efforts to “support operations with aerial ignitions and to gather intelligence to send information to firefighters on the lines.”
The Lassen Sheriff’s office adds that UAV programs are a positive aid in emergencies and greatly benefit the community.
