The RCMP has another tool under its belt and it is an eye in the sky.
Constable Kendall Coveney was on hand at the RCMP Open House on Thursday, February 27 and outlined his work as a drone pilot.
The RCMP is rolling out drones throughout the detachments, and they are fast becoming an indispensable tool for police work. Last September Coveney undertook training to operate a drone.
“I did all of the online training to become a drone pilot. I had to do all of the same stuff I would have had to do as an advanced pilot,” he explains. “After I completed that, I had to do all of the RCMP qualifications in terms of our policy and making sure everything I do is legal.”
“A lot of people are worried about surveillance and other things. I can assure people that is not what we are doing.”
He adds in some cases, RCMP standards are more stringent in terms of viewing private property and often a search warrant is required.
“The only reason I am going to be going over someone’s property is in these exigent circumstances, like for instance someone is armed and barricaded in a house,” he said. “There has to be an exigent police or pubic safety incident for me to have to throw my drone up.”
Prior to having a drone at the detachment, they had instances where they had to call another detachment for support. One such instance was an armed suspect at a residence.
Despite having the drone for a short period, the RCMP have used it for a number of investigations. One was an investigation into a drone at the Drumheller Institution that may have been used for delivering contraband.
He has also been called out to neighbouring detachments for help. One was an investigation of a missing person.
The drone Coveney uses has about a two kilometre range and has battery power for about 30 minutes. It is equipped with a long-range camera as well as infrared technology for nighttime use.