OREGON'S WASHINGTON COUNTY (KPTV) — Drones have emerged as an extremely valuable and adaptable resource for numerous police departments.
FOX 12 had exclusive insight into how the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) employs drones, showcasing their ability to maneuver through extensive corridors and around bends, as well as fit into confined spaces such as vehicles. The footage also included aerial perspectives of crime scenes provided by these unmanned devices.
The public information officer for WCSO and their drone pilot, David Huey, states that the department utilizes drones daily in some capacity.
"Earlier today, we had a drone in action for a call we attended in the Bethany region," he stated.
Huey mentions that drones can be utilized to protect crime scenes, assist in search and rescue missions, capture images for reconstructing accident sites, among other uses.
The smaller drones are utilized frequently to assist with our tactical missions," he stated. "In cases such as unauthorized entry or theft, we deploy the compact drone initially to confirm that the structure is safe. This ensures there isn’t an individual within who might attack law enforcement.
Currently, the WCSO boasts 13 certified drone operators and approximately 30 unmanned aerial vehicles in their inventory. Given its adaptability, the drone squad has emerged as a crucial component for assisting various specialized teams within the department, such as the K-9 unit.
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Deputy Huey demonstrated their collaboration by setting up a course for both the K-9 unit and the drone to pursue. When the mock perpetrator conceals themselves over 100 yards distant from the canine squad, the drone ascends several hundred feet into the air above them.
The drone operator is leading the way for the K-9 unit; currently, they are monitoring the suspect from their elevated position," said Huey. "The drone pilot is communicating with the K-9 team, informing them, 'I see two individuals on the far side of that building who appear to be concealing themselves.' This allows the K-9 team to know what to expect as they approach.
Although this latest tech offers advantages, it brings along fresh worries.
Consider the impact on bystanders; you could be living next door to someone when unexpectedly a police drone appears above, monitoring your activities in your own yard," explained Michael Abrams from the ACLU of Oregon as their policy council. "Alternatively, during a demonstration, a drone might hover over you without you having any means to detect its presence.
“When using drones, the main issue people bring up is surveillance,” Huey stated. “They ask things like, ‘Are you peering into my backyard?’ or ‘What exactly are you observing?’ However, there are strict guidelines we must adhere to.”
The WCSO isn’t permitted to utilize the drones for patrols; they must obtain a warrant first. Additionally, the drones can only fly up to 400 feet in altitude and cannot be equipped with any weaponry.
"It's crucial for our community to grasp why we're utilizing drones since we aim to ensure transparency—confirming that all guidelines are being adhered to and that these devices are employed as intended according to Oregon laws," explained Huey.