Victoria police launch first ever drone unit
A new drone unit will change the way Victoria Police fights crime in everything from emergency situations to search and rescue. Cutting edge technology will allow the drones to operate 24/7.
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Drones will be used to monitor crowds during major public security threats as a fleet of up to 70 is rolled out by Victoria Police next month.
The Herald Sun revealed the force had taken its war on crime to new heights with the launch of its new specialist drone squad.
The hi-tech flying army is able to run 24/7 and will be used to monitor mass gatherings during major security incidents, including terror attacks.
Inspector Craig Shepherd told the Herald Sun drones will be a game-changer for the force.
“Drones will be used to support specialist operations including counter terror operations,” he said.
“They have the capability to carry out dull, dirty and dangerous work where we would normally send police.
“They are quicker, cheaper and provide significant improvement to the safety of police and the community.”
The drones are fitted with extreme zoom and night vision capabilities and can live feed footage to police.
In the next 12 months, up to 70 officers from the highly-skilled Operations Response Unit and Search and Rescue will be trained to operate the intelligence devices, said Insp Shepherd.
The ORU deals with high-priority public safety and road policing crime and provides a rapid response to major security incidents and disasters.
Insp Shepherd said extra eyes in the sky will help police quickly identify and eliminate safety threats in emergency situations.
“The introduction of this unit is expected to enhance the work our police do every day, from attending crimes scenes, managing emergency situations, public order management and situational awareness,” he said.
Regional officers will also be trained to use drones to enhance their response to crime and evidence gathering.
Insp Shepherd said a drone could be hovering above a fatal country crash within minutes rather than a helicopter which would take hours to arrive.
“This means we can conduct a more thorough investigation with high definition vision,” he said.
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“Drones will also assist when police attend emergency situations with the ability to fly a drone in to provide advice to someone in a tricky situation or supply first aid equipment or water.”
But Liberty Victoria, a civil liberty and human rights group, fears police drones could impact the privacy of innocent Victorians.
LV Privacy Chairman Tim Warner said: “We have no problem with police using drones but we need to know the circumstances of their use and who will monitor its use.
“The possibility that general surveillance of the population will become a norm is what worries us.
“It has to be made sure they are put to good public use and not a risk to privacy and our way of life.
“We don’t want to be looking over our shoulder while we are having a BBQ on the balcony.”
Drones are already being used by police in other states across Australia and are regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville said drones are a powerful tool and will keep the public safer.
“Every second counts during emergency incidents — these drones can be rapidly deployed and provide police with the speed and flexibility they need,” she said.
The unit will be co-ordinated by the Victoria Police Air Wing and will be fully established by the end of August.