With funding from the 2020 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, the sheriff's office was able to purchase a DJI Matrice 210 drone to its investigation tool kit, Parker said.
"The sUAS program will be primarily used for mapping crime scene and traffic crashes allowing officers to conduct more thorough investigation yet cutting down on deputies on scene and road closure times," Parker said.
Along with the standard camera for mapping, Parker said the office received a 30 times optical zoom camera which will allow the sheriff's office to monitor situations from miles away.
"That has never been done before," Parker said.
The sheriff's office also received a thermal imaging camera which will allow sheriff's deputies to conduct search and rescue operations for missing persons and suspects that have fled police on foot.
Thus far, four staff members have received licensing through the Federal Aviation Administration as sUAS pilots.
"The addition of the sUAS program is another example of Sheriff Parker's and the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office commitment to dedication in providing the best equipment and investigations possible to the residents of Hillsdale County," a news release stated. "We now join numerous other agencies across the nation utilizing advanced technology to serve our community."
The sUAS unit will be available to multiple other county fire and law enforcement units when needed.
©2020 Hillsdale Daily News, Mich. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
