More law enforcement agencies have drones among their tools

LANSING – When the situation calls for an eye-in-the-sky – a fleeing suspect or a missing child, for example – the State Police can send in the drones. 

It’s among a growing number of law enforcement departments using drones.

“We really provide a holistic approach to public safety drone operations,” said Matt Rybar, the president of the Michigan Public Safety Drone Association and an officer in the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department.

 “There’s about 165 agencies conducting drone operations on the first responder side on a routine basis,” he said.

Members include police and fire departments and the Department of Natural Resources.

Law enforcement agencies have many uses for drones. 

For example, in February, the Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Department used a thermal drone to find a suspect who fled a car crash. 

In April, the Mason County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Grant Township Fire Department, used a drone to find a missing woman in a heavily wooded area after a rainstorm.

To operate a police drone, the operator must complete Federal Aviation Administration training, 

said Sgt. Michael Darrow of the State Police Aviation Unit. 

“From there we’ll put them through the class, some instructional guidance and practice exams to make sure they are ready to take the test at an FAA-certified training facility,” Darrow said.

Regulations require that drones fly no more than 400 feet above ground level and no faster than 100 mph. 

The operators team up with local visual observers.

“It’s the person that helps keep an eye on the sky, ” said Darrow. “It’s to make sure that there’s no birds of prey, other aircrafts or drones flying in the area that we’re trying to achieve a mission in.”

Drone use by police has prompted privacy concerns, however.

“A lot of drones end up filming details of people’s lives and locations with identifiable information,” said Molly Kleinman, the managing director of science, technology and public policy program at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

“The police are not allowed and should not be collecting that information,” she said.

For example, Kleinman said, drone cameras plug into facial recognition systems that can pick people out of crowds.

However, Darrow said the State Police takes steps to avoid violating personal privacy and trespassing. 

“If someone is looking to enhance or further a case by flying over someone’s private property with a drone, then we require a search warrant,” said Darrow.

Ryber said that when privacy does become a concern, it is up to individual agencies to follow good practices in how they’re using the equipment.