Burleigh County Sheriff's Department Alumni Granted FAA Approval to Operate Drones Over People by the FAA
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Swaggering into the forefront of drone tech, the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department secured a four-year waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to regularly fly drones over people. The department's drone operators, all touting Part 107 certifications and boasting ties to a top-notch training program, are now the second county law enforcement agency in the US to flaunt such privileges.
This groundbreaking waiver marks the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department as the first county law enforcement agency in North Dakota—and one of the first in the nation—to routinely deploy drones in close proximity to crowds. The FAA approved the waiver, bestowed upon the department courtesy of the North Dakota Department of Transportation's UAS Integration Pilot Program.
Curious about the creative ways the department plans to put their newfangled technology to use, we quizzed Deputy Tom Schroeder, the mastermind behind the drone-ifying of their forces.
The Burleigh County Sheriff's Department is currently gearing up with a fleet of five drones. They're deployed for crash reconstructions, emergency responses for MIA individuals, fleeing suspects, and documenting crime scenes. During our conversation, Deputy Schroeder regaled us with some real-life dramatics of the department's drone deployments.
Starting the Interview:
Deputy, you've been in law enforcement for two decades. Hold up, let's party! Have you always had a tech-savvy side?
Twenty years with Burleigh County, and another three at a different agency—so, 23 years total under my belt. I've had various roles, from working the jail to patrol work, and now I'm focusing on the tech part of the department.
Ooh-wee, a 20+ year career in law enforcement! For the sake of our conversation, we'll skip the accolades. You're part of bringing drones on board—was it your idea?
You got it. We started investigating drones when I brought one to work for a quick photo op. We couldn't get someone to the location to snap a pic, so I offered to fly it myself. That seed of an idea spawned a chain reaction, escalating from there.
With drones now in your tech arsenal, you're paving the way for public safety agencies nationwide. All eyes are on you!
Our department aims to lead the way, stepping boldly into new territory. When we were given the opportunity to join the UAS IPP program, we leaped at the chance. The chance to be pioneers is always adventurous!
Let's dig into the nitty-gritty of the department's drone program. How does it work?
I've got four drone-savvy pilots and another in training, learning the ropes. I train them fundamentals and enroll them in our training program—the best in the biz—to prepare them for the FAA Part 107 test.
Our training program rocks. It suits various learning styles, featuring video lessons, printable notes, and a smorgasbord of resources. Even after passing the test, we're planning refresher sessions to keep pilots sharp. Knowledge doesn't just stick, you know?
[Public Safety professionals, get exclusive discounts on our coveted training program]
Real-life Drone Deployments:
Let's talk numbers. How often have you had to use your drones in real-world scenarios since starting the program a year ago? What's an example?
We've deployed the drones quite a bit. We've used them for accident reconstructions, detailed modeling of crime scenes, and even photographing vandalism. We've also used drones during chases, like when a scallywag nabbed a car and darted off on foot. One of our guys grabbed the drone and followed the perp like a hawk from above. The bandit didn't stand a chance; he was cornered like a rat.
On a lighter note, we've also helped an unfortunate driver facing manslaughter charges. We utilized the drone to create a simulation of the scene, which swayed the prosecuting attorneys to drop the charges. They knew it was just an accident—the driver had no chance to see the pedestrian.
The Nitty-gritty:
Woo, drones over people! How did you guys score such a privilege?
The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) oversaw the process and kept us in the loop. The approval took us about two months from start to finish.
[NDDOT's objectives include partnering with law enforcement to expand their tech capabilities. *Information about NDDOT's participation in the UAS IPP sheds further light on their goals.*]**
Flying High:
One important aspect of the waiver approval was the implementation of a parachute system on the drones. Can you tell us more?
indeed. To nab the waiver, meeting standards for parachutes is essential. We'll outfit our DJI Mavic 2 drones with ParaZero SafeAir parachute recovery systems, ensuring FAA-approval and safety for our flying gadgets.
Looking to the future, drones and public safety will be crossing paths more often. What are your predictions?
Drones will become an ever-expanding tool for public safety, offering limitless potential for helping us protect and serve. We're just scratching the surface of what drones can do for us. One area we're eyeing up next is thermal imaging. That'll unleash another level of capabilities to complement our existing ones.
Connect with other drone pilots in the public safety realm on the community forum in the Public Safety/Emergency Services section.
- The Burleigh County Sheriff's Department, with Part 107 certified drone pilots, are exploring innovative ways to integrate their drones into the industry, specifically in finance, energy, and data-and-cloud-computing sectors.
- Deputy Schroeder emphasized the significance of technology in modern public safety, offering that drone tech could eventually revolutionize the entire industry.
- Trained under a top-notch program, these pilots are equipped to adapt to future advancements in technology and UAV regulations set by the FAA.
- As the department leverages their UAS (unmanned aerial systems) fleet more frequently for various operations, they envision data analysis and cloud computing services playing an increasingly important role in improving their efficiency and effectiveness.
- With the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department trailblazing the use of drones in law enforcement, some predict that emerging technologies like 5G and AI will merge with the drone tech landscape, leading to profound impacts on the public safety sector.
