The drone was passed to Police Scotland by the Crown Office after being used in evidence in a criminal case. It was no longer required and due to be destroyed. However, the drone was of the same type as those used by Scotland’s national force so was offered to officers instead.
The move is thought to be highly unusual as money seized from criminals is channelled into supporting young people under the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities scheme. The Crown Office said the police had not been offered firearms for operational use after being used as evidence in criminal cases.
Police Scotland and the Crown Office declined to provide details of the case which involved the drone. However, there have been a series of trials involving people attempting to fly drugs and mobile phones into Scottish jails using drones. The drone gift was revealed in a Police Scotland evaluation report on its drones to the Scottish Police Authority.
It said:
“Police Scotland owns four DJI Phantom 4 systems.Three Phantoms were purchased initially to commence crucial flight training for officers prior to attending a national training course. This enabled them to gain the necessary experience and skills required to operate drones competently and safely. A fourth DJI Phantom was then given to Police Scotland from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). This machine had been seized as a production in a criminal case, was no longer required and was to be disposed of. On conclusion of the criminal case [it] was to be destroyed. However, COPFS were aware of work ongoing in Police Scotland re drones and offered the platform for use.”
Source: The Scotsman