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APSA's E-Newsletter is designed to bring you the latest on news and events within the public safety aviation community. The E-Newsletter may also be read online here at our website.

APSA Offers Certified Airborne Thermographer Course

APSA’s Airborne Thermographer Certification Course is an in-depth study of airborne thermal imagery use in the areas of tactics, technology and theory. Specifically designed for aviation law enforcement officers, the coursework supports law enforcement missions using thermal imagery systems to benefit not only the TFO but also the police pilot.

The course will take place in Dec 2-4, 2019 at the Anne Arundel County Police Department Tactical Training Center near Annapolis, MD. Each of the instructors will explain and demonstrate the theory, technology, tactics and legal issues involving the successful use of thermal imagery cameras and systems. You will be required to attend all 24 hours of training, pass the written exam and demonstrate proficiency on the use of a static airborne thermal imagery system. 

The cost is $350 for members; $450 for non-members. More information can be found here.

Upcoming APSA Remote Pilot-In-Command Courses

There are two more opportunities to attend APSA’s Remote Pilot-in-Command (RPIC) Course during 2019. APSA has RPIC Courses scheduled for October 28-29 in Wentzville, MO and November 4-5 in Niceville, FL.   

APSA’s RPIC Course consists of 18 hours of classroom instruction for public safety personnel, both sworn and non-sworn, who are interested in obtaining their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under FAR PART 107. The course is a must-have for agencies to train their personnel on how to operate sUAS and to obtain pilot certification. It will prepare the student to successfully take the FAA pilot’s exam for this rating.

In addition, 3 additional briefings specific to law enforcement use of sUAS will be conducted: Introduction to Law Enforcement use of sUAS; Obtaining certificates of authorization or waiver (COA) and Part 107 waivers; and Aerial search and seizure.

FAA EXAM IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE COURSE. EXAM MUST BE SCHEDULED AND PAID FOR SEPARATELY.  Successful completion requires attendance at all classroom sessions.  Registration for either of these courses can be found on our website.

Public Safety is Monday’s Focus During FAA’s National Drone Safety Awareness Week

The first National Drone Safety Awareness Week will be conducted November 4-10, 2019. A few decades ago, drones were confined to science fiction or notions of the future. Today, unmanned aircraft systems are rapidly becoming a part of our everyday lives. They are quickly increasing in numbers and complexity. As of September 30, 2019, here's a snapshot of the current state of drones in the United States: 1,477,952 drones registered; 406,477 commercial drones registered; 1,067,057 recreational drones registered; and 153,054 certified remote pilots.

National Drone Safety Awareness Week will help educate the public about drone safety by highlighting how key sectors of the drone community, like public safety, are engaging with the public. It can also be an opportunity for drone stakeholders and users to kick off new safety initiatives. Everyone is welcome to participate in this weeklong campaign. Drone safety is everyone’s responsibility, and this event will continue to advance the public-private partnerships and collaboration.

Public Safety day is Monday, Nov 4. The FAA has prepared a playbook that contains ideas and inspiration for anyone who would like to participate in National Drone Safety Awareness Week on your digital channels, web content, events, and initiatives. Click here for additional information.

APSA Offers New Course: UAS Tactical Operators Course

The UAS Tactical Operators course is three days of intensive training designed to increase piloting skills and provide students with the ability to operate in non-traditional sUAS environments. Students will be exposed to the equipment, tools, and techniques necessary to expand their sUAS program for the tactical environment. Each day will consist of four hours of classroom instruction and four hours of flight instruction, applying sUAS capabilities to real-world scenarios.

Scheduled for December 11-13, 2019 at the Criminal Justice Training Center at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, FL, this course will supply students the opportunity to:

• Understand and apply techniques for interior operations
• Develop teaming concepts for use with other units or capabilities
• Utilize the sUAS as point and overwatch during tactical scenarios
• Understand Weight & Balance and Center of Gravity considerations for sUAS
• Identify issues associated with working in controlled airspace
• Operate as direct support for tactical team operations

Visit our website for additional information and to register.

U.S. Helicopter Safety Team Focuses on Avionics

The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) recently made avionics improvements a central part of its efforts to reduce fatal rotorcraft accidents. On Sept. 3, USHST released a list of 16 proposed safety enhancements for helicopters under five headings: visibility and loss of control, risk management, enhanced training, technology support and pilot competency. The technology support efforts include encouraging industry to develop and install stability augmentation systems and/or simple autopilots in light helicopters and promoting the installation and use of data recording devices. USHST also promotes the use of enhanced helicopter vision systems technologies, such as night vision goggles, synthetic vision systems and combined vision systems to aid pilots in recognizing and preventing unplanned flight into degraded visibility conditions.

SOURCE: www.aviationtoday.com 

UAS Now Permanent Part of LAPD Arsenal

The Los Angeles Police Department made unmanned aircraft systems a permanent part of its crime-fighting arsenal in mid-September, despite opposition from privacy advocates who fear the aircraft will be used to spy on citizens. In a yearlong trial, the LAPD SWAT team deployed drones four times, mostly when suspects were barricaded. On Sept. 10, Los Angeles’ five-member civilian police commission unanimously approved new regulations to codify UAS use in specific situations, including for active shooters, barricaded suspects and search warrants.

LAPD said its UAS would not be equipped with weapons or facial recognition software. LAPD’s use of drones was expanded in July beyond SWAT to include the bomb squad in neutralizing explosives and sweeping large public events for radioactive devices. LAPD joins about 600 other law enforcement agencies around the country using UAS, according to a 2018 report by Bard College’s Center for the Study of the Drone.

SOURCE: www.officer.com 

UAS Expert Named Maryland Sheriff’s Association Deputy of the Year

The Charles County (MD) Sheriff’s Office recently announced that Captain David Kelly, commander of its Executive Services Division, was recognized as Deputy of the Year by the Maryland Sheriff’s Association in the category of Contributions to Profession. Kelly, a FAA-certified pilot, established his department’s unmanned aircraft program, developed policies and coordinated training to bring the program into compliance with FAA regulations. Agencies throughout the DC metropolitan region have also requested and received guidance from Kelly and his team.

In 2016, Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry expressed interest in establishing a UAS program and asked Kelly to lead the endeavor. Kelly began flying UAS to document large-scale crime scenes during his time as a supervisor in the criminal investigation division. To create the required policies and procedures for the UAS program, Kelly worked with officials from FAA, the Council of Governments and a consultant from Alaris. Since the program was established, Charles County officers have been available on a 24/7 basis, and UAS have been used for pre-raid surveillance, narcotic investigations, crime scene documentation, searches for fleeing suspects, search and rescue operations, barricade situations, fatal accident scenes, DUI checkpoints, large-scale events and locating missing persons.

SOURCE: www.southernmarylandchronicle.com 

Jacksonville Police Holds Public UAS Demonstration

With some citizens concerned about the capabilities of unmanned aircraft systems equipped with cameras, sensors and other gear, the Jacksonville (FL) Sheriff’s Department shared its UAS program with the public in mid-September. A Florida state statute says a warrant is required for many UAS operations, and officials said they consistently follow the rules. The sheriff’s office operates five UAS, and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department operates three.

Acting Jacksonville Fire Chief Keith Powers said his department uses UAS for significant fires, hazardous material incidents, search and rescue, maritime incidents and “any scene where the information gathered by a drone enhances public safety and the safety of our first responders.” The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office began looking into drones in 2018. In January, it created a UAS unit with a lieutenant, sergeant and two detectives, all FAA-certified drone pilots. The unit has conducted 535 deployments this year.

SOURCE: www.jacksonville.com 

Orange County Begins Trial of Real-time Fire Mapping Technology

Last month, the Orange County (CA) Fire Authority began a 150-day pilot program that could lead to real-time fire mapping being available to firefighters on the ground. Not knowing exactly where a fire is has been a factor in more than two dozen firefighter fatalities in recent decades. Smoke, terrain, and darkness can obstruct the view of fire crews and supervisors that can severely compromise their situational awareness. The 150-day Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System (FIRIS) pilot program got off the ground September 1 thanks to $4.5 million in funding secured in the 2019-2020 California state budget.

The system utilizes a fixed-wing aircraft equipped with infrared and radar sensors that can see through smoke. The plane provides real-time fire perimeter mapping and live high-definition video to support supercomputer-based wildfire predictive spread modeling. A supercomputer at the University of California San Diego will run fire spread projections based on fire perimeter data collected by the aircraft. The output will estimate where the fire will be in the next six hours. The fire spread model will adjust for successful fire suppression actions by firefighters on the ground and in the air. This intel allows for more timely and accurate decision making for resource allocation and evacuations. “The ability to place resources exactly where they need to be to successfully battle a wildfire can mean the difference between lives and property saved or lost”, said Orange County Fire Authority Fire Chief Brian Fennessy. “Technology is becoming increasingly important as we work to suppress wildfires quickly. We’re hopeful this pilot program may someday become a routine asset statewide.”

Source: Wildfire Today

Charlotte Police Adds New Infrared Camera to Helicopter

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg (NC) Police Department’s helicopter has received a new, higher-tech camera to increase its search capabilities, even on pitch-dark nights. The new camera system includes a high-sensitivity color camera and high-definition infrared camera, allowing officers to zoom in from nearly 1,600 feet above ground. CMPD Aviation Unit Officer Josh Baswell said the camera helps solve crimes faster. The aircraft has also been fitted with a new, more powerful searchlight, which means “we can fly around 500 feet above ground [at night] and make a football field look like the daylight,” Baswell said.

SOURCE: www.charlotteobserver.com 

Kansas Department Has New UAS Policy

The Riley County (KS) Law Enforcement Agency Board in mid-September approved a policy outlining when and how police officers can use unmanned aircraft systems in investigations. The Riley County Police Department introduced UAS with a trial program about a year ago and now has four DJI M210s. The aircraft typically are used for missing and runaway person searches, as well as incident and crime scene mapping.

The Riley County Police Department used its UAS to assist during the Labor Day flood rescue efforts and provide another viewpoint when executing local search warrants during the Operation Chicago Connection drug bust in August. The department must obtain search warrants to use the drone in most situations. “If there is any doubt whether a search warrant is needed, then we would err on the side of caution and apply for one just to be on the safe side, so we don’t lose any evidence that we would otherwise gather by the use of the UAS,” a Riley County spokesperson said. The department would not need a warrant if it were searching for a missing person or fugitive. The new policy dictates the Riley County UAS team is comprised of four members and outlines some situations in which the drones can be deployed (e.g. critical incident and tactical operations, crime scene activities and training) and the requirements for individuals joining the team.

SOURCE: www.themercury.com 

Police Helicopter Involved in Shootout

A suspect fired upon the San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit in late September. The 36-year-old man, who shot at multiple pursuing deputies and rammed a sheriff’s patrol vehicle, died after he was struck by gunfire.

Deputies from the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle on Sept. 29. When the deputies arrived on-scene, the suspect led police on a pursuit over dirt roads. According to a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office tweet about the incident, the pursuit continued with the assistance of its Aviation Unit. Officers deployed spike strips twice, and the suspect allegedly shot at the helicopter. The suspect then rammed a marked patrol unit and shot at the deputy, who sustained minor injuries but did not require medical attention.

SOURCE: www.vvng.com 

Iowa Department Launches UAS

The Council Bluffs (IA) Police Department recently added two unmanned aircraft systems to its capabilities. The department uses one of the UAS during the day and another at night. “[They are] very portable, rapidly deployable and able to get into officers’ hands right away and solve problems quicker, instead of waiting for things to come to them,” Lieutenant Darren Budd said.

Seven members of the Council Bluffs Police Department are drone pilots with FAA certification. Officer Aaron Kozisek works in the department’s traffic unit and primarily uses the UAS for accident reconstruction. “From start to finish, I can map a scene in about 20 minutes,” he said. Despite less time at the scene, Kozisek said he obtains more details thanks to the view from above. The nearby Omaha Police Department has said it plans to purchase a UAS, as well.

SOURCE: www.ketv.com 

South African Police Honors Female Pilot

The South African Police Service (SAPS) celebrated Warrant Officer Tebogo Francis Mamogale from the Polokwane Air Wing Unit as Women’s Month drew to a close at the end of August. Mamogale is the only female qualified commercial police helicopter pilot in the province. The 32-year-old hails from a small village and joined SAPS in December 2008. She later enrolled for a course in safety management, and as her interest in aviation grew, she decided to pursue a career as a pilot.

Mamogale began working toward her pilot’s license in 2015 and was appointed as a qualified commercial helicopter operator the following year. In 2017, she was transferred to Polokwane Police Air Wing and is responsible for ensuring the safe operation of the helicopter and aircrew during airborne operations. “It gives me great pleasure each time a mission is accomplished, and if we fail today, tomorrow is definitely another day to push even harder,” Mamogale said.

SOURCE: www.reviewonline.co.za 

MSP Aviation Command Streamlines Application Process

The Maryland State Police (MSP) Aviation Command has streamlined and condensed its hiring process, allowing it to accommodate eligible applicants for an interview within two weeks from the time their application is submitted. MSP officials said interviews are being conducted weekly for pilots and technicians throughout the state. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply at www.jobaps.com/md.

SOURCE: www.southernmarylandchronicle.com 

DART Aerospace Acquires Simplex Aerospace

DART Aerospace has acquired aerial firefighting mission equipment provider Simplex Aerospace. Based in Portland, OR, Simplex serves thousands of operators and OEMs worldwide. The newly combined entity, which will operate under the DART brand, will now have more than 320 employees in eight locations worldwide, including four manufacturing centers.

DART’s acquisition of Simplex will allow the Canada-based mission equipment manufacturer to broaden and diversify its firefighting product portfolio, adding belly tanks, aerial cleaning supplies and agricultural spray systems. “With the support of Simplex’s 200-plus international product certifications and its years of experience in the aerial firefighting sector, DART will strengthen its global leadership position by providing helicopter mission equipment for offshore, firefighting and utility applications,” DART President and CEO Alain Madore said.

SOURCE: DART Aerospace

Polish Police Attend UAS Seminar

The Department of Special Training of the Poland Police Academy recently attended a seminar on the use of unmanned aircraft systems and how to address illegal UAS operations. Officers from the Poland Police headquarters, Warsaw Police and several provincial police departments participated. Attendees were introduced to using data collected by UAS and drone detection and neutralization systems.

In a demonstration flight, participants were shown the Skyrobot FX10, capable of providing surveillance, object tracking and monitoring and conducting searches. The Skyrobot was equipped with an EO/IR camera with auto-tracking, 40x zoom, secure data-link and electric propulsion of more than two hours. Seminar participants were able to personally experience live operations by co-defining tasks during the mission.

SOURCE: www.suasnews.com 

APSA Online Meetings: October Schedule

APSA conducts regularly scheduled online meetings for safety officers and maintenance technicians as well as UAS and SAR operators via a conference call you can join using your computer, device or phone. Online meetings are open to any APSA member. Contract maintenance providers to APSA members are welcome to participate in the maintenance meeting as well. To receive meeting information and be added to the mailing list, send an email to safety@publicsafetyaviation.org.

Upcoming online meetings include one for UAS operators on Wednesday, October 16 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC); SAR operators on Wednesday, October 23 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC); and for safety officers on Friday, November 8 from 12:00-1:00 PM EST (1700 UTC).

U.K. Drone Alliance Expands Operations

The Alliance Drone Team, which is collaboration between the U.K.’s Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police and others, has expanded operations to cover almost 5,000 square miles, with assistance from an operational management system by Centrik. The system—the only one of its type approved by regulators to manage both manned and unmanned operations—has allowed the drone alliance to coordinate activity among almost 50 police UAS pilots across southwest England. The system also enables the Alliance Drone Team to reduce its administrative burden while ensuring operations are compliant with the latest regulations.

SOURCE: www.suasnews.com 

ARGUS International Purchased by Aviation Services Firm

SGS, the world’s largest certification, verification and inspection company, has purchased a majority stake in ARGUS International Inc. SGS officials said the acquisition is intended to strengthen the firm’s aviation auditing and consulting services and increase market penetration. “ARGUS is a globally recognized brand name,” SGS CEO Frankie Ng said. “Their broad client base and international activities will help SGS grow and keep pace with the increasing global demand of air traffic and safety.”

ARGUS CEO Joe Moeggenberg said he believes the purchase will enhance his company’s offerings and accelerate its mission to deliver relevant and valuable information solutions to the aerospace industry and public safety aviation operators. “ARGUS is proud to become a member of the SGS family, and we look forward to the next chapter,” he said. “We are confident that both SGS and ARGUS will deliver even greater value to the entire industry with the resources and verification experience SGS brings to the table.”

SOURCE: ARGUS International 

Tennessee Fire and Rescue Division Celebrates UAS Contribution

Columbia (TN) Fire and Rescue recently used one of its unmanned aircraft systems to clear from a local highway an overturned tractor-trailer carrying 89,000 gallons of propane. As the hazardous materials team worked to empty the overturned 10-wheeler, the UAS team offered a view from the sky. “Without the drone, we have to report back what we are seeing and they need to make decisions based on what we are saying,” Captain Kris Weber said. “It is a great tool to make decisions.”

Launched in early 2018, Columbia’s UAS unit has employed both professional and consumer grade UAS to capture footage of residential fires, flooding and traffic accidents. “We can have that drone up at all times and giving us a view from above without calling in a helicopter,” Chief Ty Cobb said. Jose Periut Jr., a full-time firefighter who has been with the city since 2009, spearheaded the program as its first local pilot certified by FAA.

SOURCE: www.columbiadailyherald.com 

Indiana State Police Promotes New Aviation Head

The superintendent of the Indiana State Police (ISP), Douglas Carter, announced in late September the promotion of Captain David Travis to the rank of major. Travis will serve as the ISP Special Operations Commander and oversee the ISP Aviation Unit, SWAT team, explosives ordnance detection division, K-9 team, motorcycle units and special event planning.

Travis graduated from the 48th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy, was appointed as a trooper and assigned to the ISP Seymour Post, where he served for 19 years. In 2009, he transferred to the Sellersburg Post, and in 2017 he was promoted to the rank of captain, where he served as assistant commander of ISP Special Operations until his most recent promotion.

SOURCE: www.localnewsdigital.com 

Palm Beach Police Adds Second UAS

The Palm Beach (FL) Police Department will soon deploy a fleet of two drones to assist officers in locating suspects and preventing crime. Police Chief Nicholas Caristo said the department’s growing UAS fleet would make patrolling Palm Beach more efficient, especially at night. The department already owns a DJI Mavic Pro drone, equipped with a 4K video system and HD camera, and is in the process of buying a DJI Enterprise Dual. The new drone will have a camera with FLIR/infrared capabilities, spotlights and a loudspeaker. The aircraft costs approximately $4,500, Caristo said.

In addition to helping officers do their job, Caristo said the UAS can help the Palm Beach Fire-Rescue Department find hot spots in burning buildings. Officers operating the drones will receive extensive training and be licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly day and night. “The police department is developing a department policy that will be statutorily compliant and cover permitted uses, to include evidence collection, photographing traffic crash scenes, crowd control, person searches and other warranted situations,” Caristo said. “In all, the police department believes the implementation of both drones will allow for a better response to critical incidents and enhance the safety within the boundaries of the Town of Palm Beach.”

SOURCE: www.palmbeachpost.com 

Preliminary Report Issued for Florida Helicopter Crash

An initial report investigating the June crash of a Gainesville (FL) Police Department (GPD) helicopter indicated pilot error was not a factor. The aircraft crashed during a training flight near the department’s headquarters, and neither the pilot nor instructor was injured. The National Transportation Safety Board report said the helicopter bumped and skidded on landing, causing it to oscillate uncontrollably before the flight instructor adjusted the controls. GPD Pilot Casey Kumar and Instructor James Adams were aboard the aircraft. The crash damaged the helicopter’s tail boom, isolation mount and upper cowling around the rotor mast, according to the NTSB report.

The final NTSB report has not been published, but GPD Acting Chief Inspector Jorge Campos said the accident occurred when the landing gear hit something on the pavement. Adams was recertifying Kumar on autorotations. “When...the aircraft landed, it tried to do a pylon whirl,” Campos said. “The instructor took over to steady the craft so it wouldn’t roll…NTSB said there was no pilot error. They said that because it was on hot pavement, there was a cleat on the skid that caught something when they landed. That’s what caused it to try to do the whirl.”

The GPD helicopter is still being repaired, and Adams’ insurance has been forced to cover the cost. So far, repairs have been priced below $5,000. The aircraft involved in the incident was a 1970 military surplus Bell OH58C.

SOURCE: www.gainesville.com 

Clark County Sheriff Adds to UAS Toolbox

The Clark County (OH) Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has added a new unmanned aircraft system to its program, giving it a fleet of 10 UAS with five deputies trained and licensed to pilot them. CCSO’s most recent purchase is a $30,000 DJI Matrice 210.

CCSO said it created its drone unit four years ago to expand its effectiveness without spending considerably more funds on a manned aircraft. The department has since used UAS to locate lost citizens, reconstruct accidents and crime scenes and apprehend fugitives. “The [CCSO] UAS is a force multiplier and assists deputies in doing their job more safely,” Public Information Officer Sergeant Brent Waddell said. All CCSO’s UAS are manufactured by DJI. The department operates DJI Sparks, Mavic Pros, Inspires and Matrice 210s.

SOURCE: www.clarkcountytoday.com 

Europe Orders Urgent Airbus Helicopter Review

European regulators have ordered immediate inspection of recently delivered versions of some Airbus helicopters after a crash in Arctic Norway killed six. Norwegian investigators have not discovered the cause of the AS350 B3E crash on Aug. 31, but preliminary findings prompted Airbus, the world’s largest commercial helicopter maker, to call for precautionary checks on parts linking the engine and main gearbox. The AS350 B3E is a favorite of public safety aviation operators, and about 400 helicopters worldwide are affected.

The models covered by the inspections include the single-engine AS350 B3, part of the Ecureuil family, and the EC130 T2. The helicopters are designed for law enforcement operations, as well as firefighting, medical evacuation and passenger transport. Helitrans, which operated the helicopter involved in the crash, said it had already performed the newly required inspections on its 15 remaining helicopters of the same type.

SOURCE: www.kitco.com 

Start Pac Launches Environmentally Friendly Ground Power Unit

Start Pac has designed the START PAC GREEN (patent pending), a unique modular battery-powered ground power unit to replace diesel- and gas-powered units. The new START PAC GREEN has been launched with the aim of replacing diesel ground power units, while providing the same service to create a greener working environment. This GPU is entirely battery powered and does not require an internal combustion engine for power. 

START PAC GREEN is the first of its kind and has been specifically designed to replace old and polluting GPUs. The START PAC GREEN has several unique features including a larger battery bank for powering up the aircraft systems for extended periods of time, a smaller battery bank for engine starting, and built-in battery chargers to replenish both battery banks.

Source: StartPac

State Helicopter Helps Allentown Police Make 18 Arrests

The Allentown (PA) Police Department employed a state police helicopter to conduct a joint operation in late September leading to 18 arrests. Two men were arrested on gun charges; another was believed to be involved in a robbery during which the victim was hit in the head with the butt of an AK-47. Allentown police Chief Glenn Granitz Jr. described the operation as “a preplanned proactive operation,” which included the Pennsylvania State Police Aviation Unit, Lehigh County District Attorney’s drug and auto theft task forces, probation and parole, homeland security investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI. Allentown conducted a similar operation last month and made 28 arrests.

In the most recent operation, two of the arrests were the result of vehicle stops. The third arrest occurred when a man, bleeding from his head, flagged down a police detective and reported two suspects, one of them armed with an AK-47, had just robbed him. Captain Bill Lake said the remaining arrests were for warrants and drug offenders, including one man charged with possession with intent to deliver.

SOURCE: www.mcall.com 

Winnipeg Police Looks to Buy UAS

Canada’s Winnipeg Police Service is considering adding unmanned aircraft to its arsenal of crime-fighting tools. The City of Winnipeg issued a tender for the drone purchase at the request of police. "We can do things with a drone that we simply can't currently,” Winnipeg Police Spokesperson Constable Rob Carver said. The tender lays out several department specifications, such as video and thermal imaging cameras and GPS technology. Police forces across Canada use UAS for traffic collision and crime scene reconstruction, searching for missing people and identifying suspects in connection with incidents. Winnipeg's drone would be equipped with a loudspeaker, which could help police guide a lost person out of danger and avoid the need for an exhaustive ground search. It could also be used to get close to hazardous materials or disaster scenes without putting personnel at risk.

Currently, 17 Canadian police forces, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Toronto Police Service and Ontario Provincial Police, have adopted drone technology. The Vancouver Police Board recently approved a policy to begin using three drones for police operations, after Transport Canada revised its regulations for drone operators in June.

SOURCE: www.cbc.ca 

APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA would like to welcome the following corporate and individual members who joined during September 2019:

Corporate Members:

California Wing Specialties
Ohio UAS Center

Individual Members:

Zach Baughman, Las Vegas (NV) Metropolitan Police Department (MLK)
Brian Bethel, Indianapolis (IN) Metropolitan Police Department Aviation Section
Michael Brewer, ALERT
Matthew Chavez, San Diego County (CA) Sheriff's Department Aerial Support Detail
Johnny Duncan, Henderson County (NC) Sheriffs Office
Joe Dunster, Los Angeles (CA) Police Department Air Support Division
Ryan Gallagher, Henrico County (VA) Police Department Metro Aviation
Randy Lewis, Texas Department of Public Safety
Robert Mangosing, Solano County (CA) Sheriff's Office
Peter Mann, California Highway Patrol (Truckee)
Scott Moser, Department of Justice
Neil Penney, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Kamloops Air Section
Matthew Poulton, Montgomery County (OH) Sheriff's Office
Susan Rendine, Nassau County (NY) Police Department
Erick Rossi, Contra Costa County (CA) Sheriff's Office
Terry Snyder, Texas Department of Public Safety
Samantha Straede, Straede Consulting Services LLC
Andrew Tuck, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Air Services Branch
Neil Williamson, Arizona Department of Public Safety Southern Air Rescue