Chatham-Kent police could have their own drone, joining polices services in London, York and Barrie who have already purchased one.
The Chatham-Kent Police Services Board has approved the undertaking of a Request For Proposal (RFP) to purchase the drone, which will be paid for through reserves the CKPS has saved up over the last three years.
When presenting the plan, Chief Gary Conn was quick to point out the versatility of the drone -- and its attached camera -- for police work. By using the drone, officers will be able to capture footage from the scene of accidents for use in court. They'll also be able to use it during drug busts and missing persons investigations.
"We have a very large geographic area we have to patrol. It can take hours if the last known location of an individual happens to be, for example, a cornfield. This drone will be able to search acres within minutes," says Conn.
Conn says police will still follow Section 8 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms with respect to privacy. He concedes they may need to get search warrants to make full use of the drone.
While the RFP will flesh out exact prices, the CKPS expects the drone and camera to cost around $120,000. Conn adds this is a cost-effective move, considering their alternatives.
"In years past we've had to rent a helicopter and helicopters, as you can appreciate, are very expensive," says Conn. "They range anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000 per year, and we usually use them for two to three days."
The drone, which is also equipped with thermal imaging technology, will permanently belong to the CKPS. Conn says there may also be opportunities for firefighters, EMS, and municipal staff to make use of it.
Once the RFP is complete and a handful of officers are trained to operate it, Conn expects Chatham-Kent police to start using the drone early next year.
