The Washington Township Police Department has recently added a $17,000 DJI-M30T drone to help with important tasks like search-and-rescue missions and emergencies.
The drone is mainly operated by Brian Jones who works for the department.
Officers Chuck Wirick, Logan Miller, and Logan Brown are also training to become certified to fly the drone.
The drone comes with a powerful thermal camera that can detect heat, making it easier to find people or problem areas, even in tough conditions.
It also has a 200x zoom lens that lets officers watch from a distance without disturbing the scene or alerting people.
The drone includes smart features like automatic search patterns and object tracking to make operations more efficient.
Mostly funded by the Washington Township Police Officers Association, Chief Michael Thompson said, “Having a drone with these capabilities is important for officer and public safety. If we have a missing person, this tool will let us search large areas in just a few minutes.”
The department is also exploring software that could help with traffic accident investigations, especially in cases involving serious injury or death.
While the drone was an investment piece, Chief Thompson believes it will be worth it if it helps locate just one person in danger.
Overall, this new drone will be a valuable tool for the Washington Township Police Department, improving how they handle emergencies and keep the public safe.
