Course Overview: Use of
Drones by Public Safety Agencies: An Introduction, an eLearning course, explores the emerging use of drone
technology to maximize resources and enhance public safety. The design of the
course focuses on public safety agencies interested in or having started a
drone program. The content provides an overview of current drone use in
agencies, pre-implementation strategies for consideration, foundations for
agency-level programs, and the future outlook of drone technology.
Over the past decades, public safety agencies have leveraged
new technologies to more efficiently and effectively achieve their goals. Using
tools such as geographic information systems, data analysis products, wireless
communication devices, and many others, public safety personnel have expanded
their ability to identify and respond to critical issues in their communities.
Recently, an increasing number of agencies have examined the
use of drones as a promising new practice. As with any novel technology,
organizations using drones will discover new avenues for solving problems, but
they may also face unexpected challenges. This eLearning course, based on the
Police Executive Research Forums (PERF) publication A Report on the Use of
Drones by Public Safety Agencies – and a Wake-Up Call about the Threat of
Malicious Drone Attacks, helps public safety agencies establish successful
drone programs.
This course provides insight for public safety practitioners
on how drones may be used in their line of work, benefits and challenges an
agency should consider before implementing a drone program, and guidance on
starting a drone program.
Learning Objectives:
- Distinguish between Unmanned Aircraft Systems,
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and Drones
- Explain how drones are used by public safety
agencies
- Identify the difference between a FAA Remote
Pilot Certificate and a FAA Part 91 Certificate of Authorization (COA)
operation
- Recognize the role community trust plays in the
implementation of an effective drone program
- Match their agency’s needs to the type of
equipment necessary
- Identify funding sources available to assist
with supporting the cost of a drone program
- Identify staffing requirements for the size and
scope of their drone program
- Identify initial and continued training
requirements as needed for certification and technical use purposes
- Identify requirements for developing standard
operating procedures to codify the policies and practices for their drone
program
- Recognize the evolving nature of drone
technology and regulations associated with that technology
Target Audience: Public safety agencies interested in
implementing a drone program, police agencies, sheriff’s departments, fire and
rescue services, and other public safety stakeholders.
Cooperative Partners: This tuition-free online training
was developed by the National Center for Policing Innovation (NCPI), formerly known as Virginia Center for Policing Innovation, and was supported by cooperative agreement
2019-CK-WXK-003 by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented
Policing Services (COPS).
Learning Hours: 2 hours including the pre-test
and post-test.
Is this POST approved in my state?
