New Zealand police are trialling unmanned aircraft – one has been bought and already been used twice in investigations and police will decide in the coming months whether to continue using them.
The unmanned aircraft can provide high resolution images, infra-red images at night, and 3D images to help with operational planning.
Police Association President Greg O’Connor says it is an innovative breakthrough for police. “It’s smarter, it’s cheaper, it’s more efficient. Why wouldn’t police use it?” he said.
Palmerston North company Hawkeye UAV Ltd has supplied the aircraft and says its products are only used for commercial purposes.
“The technology could in theory be used for military use, but the companies that we are working with are aerial mapping companies and surveyors,” director Rolland Harrison told the broadcaster.
Mr O’Connor said that despite any concerns by privacy campaigners, innocent members of the public had nothing to fear.
“What these devices do is increase surveillance capability and at less risk to helicopter pilots,” he says
Source: MSN NZ