The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), commonly known as droves, is not for intelligence gathering or observation of areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. It is the policy of the department to use drones to search for missing persons, locate fleeing criminals and assist in emergency response efforts.
The department may utilize an sUAS in circumstances that improve officer safety, enhance enforcement activities or augment life-saving efforts (emergency and disaster responses, damage assessments, monitor of extreme traffic conditions, etc.) as authorized by law.
Officers assigned to this unit have completed extensive training that included a 16-hour sUAS ground training course and passing an FAA sUAS test in addition to other areas of expertise and on-going training.