Guelph police says new drone will cover a lot more area
The Guelph Police Service has a new remotely piloted aircraft system, also known as a drone, to assist in investigations.
The power-driven aircraft will assist in searches for missing persons, collision reconstruction, intelligence gathering, tactical operations and for evidence gathering.
"We see it as a way to enhance our effectiveness and efficiency and support police operations in a wide variety of scenarios," Staff Sgt. Michael Davis said.
The DJI Matrice M30T, features high resolution red, green, blue and thermal cameras, and a laser rangefinder system. The drone can fly for over 40 minutes on a range of 15 kilometres.
“Cuts down on man hours. We can cover a lot more area than an officer walking. The downside is foliage – we can't always see through it," Const. Dave Anderson, Drone Pilot said.
The drone went into operation in August 2023, deploying nine times last year. It’s been used three times to search for evidence in homicide investigations, to assist in a break and enter investigation and to search for missing people.
Officers used the drone to successfully locate a reported intoxicated male in October, who was somewhat despondent, and in an area he did not know.
“It was right around a woodland and the drone was used in that situation, put up in the air, and the male was located using the thermal camera in very short order," Staff Sgt. Davis said.
The drone and training for officers cost around $25,000. That’s about $60,000 less than the drone the Waterloo Regional Police Service purchased in 2018.
Guelph police have six officers that completed the few hours of ground school, a couple of exams and a flight test to become certified drone pilots.
"It was tough. There's a lot of learning to be done to get to an advanced status,” Const. Anderson said.
The drone can only operate with a licenced pilot and a visual observer looking out for other aircraft and animals birds. The service has trained 22 officers to be observers.
The force is looking to purchase another drone and will train additional officers this year. It hopes to expand the number of units that can use it. The drone is expected to be available to police at all times and able to get in the air quickly.
"As long as we can get into Transport Canada, the NAV drone up and our air data app, once that's all filed, we can take off as long as there's nothing in the air that would restrict us from flying," Const. Anderson said.
Guelph police said flight operations will only be conducted if there is legal authority or they have judicial authorization. Police said all collection, use, disclosure and retention of personal information is in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Residents can request to access their personal information and general information from the RPAS by contacting the Freedom of Information Office.
Guelph police have also created a social media account on X for the aircraft, to provide status and flight updates to the public.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2-hour wildfire evacuation notice issued for some Fort McMurray neighbourhoods
A wildfire evacuation alert for some Fort McMurray residents has been updated to a two-hour evacuation notice.
Sask. RCMP provide update on 'significant' sexual assault, child exploitation investigation
Saskatchewan RCMP are set to provide an update on what the service calls a 'significant' sexual assault and internet child exploitation investigation.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
American sought after 'So I raped you' Facebook message detained in France on 2021 warrant
An American accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, 'So I raped you,' has been detained in France after a three-year search.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
1 killed, 3 injured in head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police are responding to a fatal collision involving two vehicles on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end on Tuesday morning.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.