Bangor PD Adding Drone To Their Tool Kit; Looking To Hire Cops With Operator Skills

In a state that has more trees than people, advanced methods of tracking and locating victims, suspects, and those in need of help can come in very handy.

With the emergence of drones, not just as cool gadgets that take neat shots for pictures and videos, but as actual tools of location or surveillance in terrain too tough or too far for folks to traverse safely or promptly, the ability to protect and serve the public has expanded for Maine's local law enforcement agencies.

Many municipalities have expanded their methods of helping the public to include drone usage.

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The Bangor Police Department, for instance, recently shared on social media that they are using drones to enhance how they do their jobs.

"The Evidence Response Team at the Bangor Police Department uses a drone in many of its investigations. With the ability to assist in mapping crime or accident scenes, the drone can assist in establishing perimeters, take high-quality digital photos and video for reconstructing scenes, and more."

They're even advertising that folks who might be interested in using technology, like drones, to help their communities should apply to become a member of the Police Department. 

Aside from helping to document emergency and crime scenes, monitoring traffic and crowds at large events, finding missing people, mapping out and imaging crash sites, drones provide law enforcement with an extra layer of protection, helping them to see potential threats from the air that they would not be able to otherwise see from the ground.

But not just anyone can put a drone up in the air. There's training that's needed and a special license.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, to operate a drone in the state of Maine, there are some requirements that must first be met.

"To get a commercial drone pilot license (FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate) in Maine, you must be 16+, pass an in-person aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved center, and register your drone. The process involves getting an FAA Tracking Number (FTN), passing the test, and completing FAA Form 8710-13 online."

And the operators who work for local police departments must abide by the federal rules established for drone usage.

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If you have an interest in law enforcement and an interest in technology, like drones, you may want to dive a little deeper into how those interests could lend themselves to a great local career.