“In this cold weather that could be the minutes that counts between life and death,” Deputy Richard Manns said.
In trying to track down someone in a wooded area or large field, law enforcement can utilize the camera’s thermal imaging feature that has five different color palettes that can best be used in different weather conditions.
The drone can be controlled from up to 4 miles away and has several other accessories that will help the sheriff’s office. It has an attachable loud speaker to be able to get a message to someone at a further distance than a regular PA speaker. It also has a light that can be used in a low light or nighttime situation. The office is awaiting approval of a waiver to use it at night.
The approximately $4,500 purchase came at no cost to taxpayers. The drone was bought with money from the office’s Law Enforcement Trust Fund, which is predominantly made up of money forfeited from drug dealers after they’re arrested and convicted.
Buying a drone has been discussed in the office for more than a year with the purchase finally being made in early December. On Thursday, several in the sheriff’s office, including Sheriff Dave Duchak, got their first look at what Manns, who has a pilot’s license and is certified to fly a UAV, and the drone can do.
“It was impressive,” Duchak said. “I’ve been around a drone before but the functionality that this has from the audible speaker to the lights to the speed that it can travel and the high resolution of photos. Very impressive piece of equipment.”
“I’m really glad to see the satisfaction on everybody’s faces,” Manns said. “I’ve done a lot of research at different manufacturers different models. This is the one I came up with.
Manns described the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual as a “swiss-army knife” of what’s available and how it can serve the needs of Miami County. Sheriff Duchak said he sees the drone’s uses as something that will expand overtime. Duchak also said he’s making the drone available to other area departments should the need for one arise.
Manns also said that they are looking at other uses for the drone such as being able to send it into a building to clear it if there’s a hostile person inside. It could also be a tool for area SWAT teams to survey the area as they have a briefing on the situation.
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