Four page research paper on global perspectives of terrorism
Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International Vol. 24, No.426
C lose to 1000 drones are already employed by a
number of state police, county sheriff’s offices, and
police departments in the United States.
Their uses are varied. For example, a state highway
patrol may use drones to take photos of vehicle and
train accidents. Other law enforcement agencies
may use their drones in tactical response situations
and other incidents during high-risk callouts
involving SWAT, as well as in searches for missing
persons and fleeing suspects.
US Air Force drone is being hand launched.
The use of drones, while in its infancy now, has a strong po-
tential to be a game changer for the good guys, law enforcement, firefighters,
and our military. Photo by Staff Sgt. Kleinholz.
Law Enforcement’s Uses of Drones In Crime Fighting And As Deterrent Against Terrorism By Jim Weiss and Mickey Davis
Is there public opposition
to drones being used
by American law
enforcement? You bet.
People feel they will be
used to spy on American
citizens; however, there
was similar opposition
when police switched
from revolvers to carrying
pistols, when Armored
Rescue Vehicles came
into use, when SWAT
was formed, and when
TASERS® began to be
used.
A sheriff’s office in Florida used a drone to monitor the actions of a subject in a car with a gun. In the San Francisco Bay Area, law enforcement used a drone to help track and apprehend a carjacking/attempted kid- napping suspect. In Ohio, the Knox County Sheriff ’s Office used a drone during a standoff at an apartment building where the suspect was barricaded inside. The SWAT team broke out the residence’s windows and used the drone to look through upstairs windows to get a better idea of where the suspect was located.
Law enforcement’s UASs (unmanned air- craft systems) are primarily mission- and incident-driven. Images collected using this technology are handled and retained within industry standards, consistent with im- ages collected by any camera used by law enforcement. However in some situations like a search for evidence, a search warrant might be needed or advisable.
Have drones also been used by bad guys? Yes. They’ve been used to fly near manned aircraft such as passenger planes, to fly over prohibited airspace, and to deliver drugs within correctional institutions. Drone em- ployment by terrorists is a potentially deadly threat – including recon, explosives, etc.
Recently, a drone shut down London’s Gat- wick Airport for a couple of days causing travel inconveniences for thousands and the cancellation of a few hundred flights. Ter- rorism was a suspected possible cause, but this was discounted. The following month a drone flew in the restricted airport airspace in Newark, New Jersey.
In the USA the most common violations in the uses of drones are flying in prohibited air space. In recent years, one was flown above the Bryant Denny Football Stadium prior to a University of Alabama football game. Another was flown onto the New York capitol build- ing, while another landed on the roof of the AT&T stadium where the Cowboys play. At other times, a drone was flown within 50 feet of an NYPD helicopter, one was flown near the White House that required Secret Service counter-activity, and incidents have been documented in other countries such as one that was reportedly flown into a bank.
There have also been concerns over drones interfering with firefighters – especially with their helicopters and air tankers while fighting forest fires.
Is there public opposition to drones being used by American law enforcement? You bet. People feel they will be used to spy on American citizens; however, there was similar opposition when police switched from revolvers to carrying pistols, when Armored Rescue Vehicles came into use, when SWAT was formed, and when TAS- ERS® began to be used.
Pinellas County (FL) Sheriff’s Office
Pinellas County, with an estimated popu- lation of 970,532, has 846 sworn law enforcement deputies and 687 in detention and corrections.
The agency currently has one drone, or what they refer to as a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). This small drone is assigned to SWAT. It is a DJI™ Mavic Pro intended for use inside buildings. They have tested it outside, but the camera has no zoom or thermal imaging, limiting its use; however the agency is in the process of purchasing a larger, more multifunctional UAV.
The Sheriff’s Office drone and all UAVs can be used to gather intelligence, look for sus- pects, or conduct search-and-rescue missions. Camera images are vital to those missions.
A search warrant would be required if the drone is used to gather evidence.
There are currently six UAV pilots in the Sheriff’s Office who have their FAA (Federal Aviation Administra- tion) Part 107 UAV license. They log flight hours and work closely with the agency’s Chief Pilot, who is a UAV instructor as well as being heli- copter and fixed-wing certified. The agency is looking into more training for the drone pilots to become more proficient.
Legalities: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office’s current UAV is registered with the FAA. Since it has only had its drone for a few months, it is work- ing ascertain the needs of the agency to get a Certificate of Waiver or
Ultimately, the main use of UASs by the Bexar Coun- ty Sheriff ’s Office and elsewhere is to reduce the risk to officers and keep them out of harm’s way. Photo courtesy of Ricardo Requejo Jr.
Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International Vol. 24, No.428
Authorization (COA). A COA is an authorization issued by the Air Traffic Organization- -the operational arm of the FAA--to a public operator for a specific unmanned air- craft activity. The Air Traffic
Organization is responsible for providing safe and efficient air navigation services to 29.4 million square miles of airspace; it generally reviews a request and responds within 60 days.
Most COAs are for specific uses such as a special event, but public safety will apply for a blanket COA allowing operation in a certain airspace and other special circum- stances. The Sheriff’s Office currently has no COAs for night operation, flying beyond visual line of sight, flying over people, flying in controlled airspace, or operation higher than 400 feet. A violation of this can result in fines by the FAA.
The agency does have Standard Operating Procedures for their UAV which lay out the responsibilities of the flight crew, agency authorization, and usage.
Costs: In comparing the sheriff’s drone to their helicopter’s cost, the Sheriff’s Office says it is difficult to provide an exact esti- mate since the agency does all maintenance on the helicopter in house. The sheriff’s flight section figures that it costs several hundred dollars per hour to operate the helicopter since cost factors include the pilot and pay grade
The initial cost of the UAV includes batter- ies, lights, prop cages for indoor flights, and getting all six pilots their FAA licenses. This was approximately $3,500. Other expenses can include the time the drone is in flight and any overtime additions to the drone pilot’s salary, and additional equipment or maintenances needed for the UAVs.
However, the helicopter and UAV really cannot not be compared as neither one could replace the other.
Bexar County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office’s drone fleet is currently made up of two commercial UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems or drones) and two compact UAS.
The Commercial drones are DJI Matrice 200s which feature single camera gimbal or pivoted support that allows for rotation. The drones have an operational range of 4.3 miles, maximum payload of 4.4 lbs., ActiveTrack (the ability to track a moving target), and obstacle avoidance. The two compact drones are the DJI Mavic Pro, with cameras that feature 12 MP stills, 4K video at 30 fps (frames per second), an operation range of 4.3 miles, and obstacle avoidance. Uses: The drones were originally intended to be used for the reconstruction of major crash scenes involving criminal charges, but have evolved to be employed in all major criminal crime scenes as well as for tactical support. To do this, the agency uses its drones with Pix4D photogrammetry mapping software to produce 2D and 3D renderings of crime scenes. They can then create video animations, as well as measure distances and surfaces with sub-centimeter accuracy. This produces precise, irrefutable evidence so that investigators, forensic experts, and jury members can revisit the scene at any time and from any location.
In tactical support situations, the drones are used where SWAT and/or the negotia- tors have responded; typically these are stand-off events involving barricaded suspects. The drones are able to pro- vide overhead perspectives of dynamic situations and over-watch for the sheriff’s SWAT operators in the absence of air sup- port helicopters.
Another use by SWAT is for building or room clearance during interior operations. Many systems are small enough now that they can be flown indoors and through windows, hallways, and doorways. This provides the SWAT operators with an ac- curate layout of the building as well as identification of suspects. A UAS can also be utilized as a distraction device, causing the suspect to focus on the drone while the team makes entry from a separate location, overwhelming the suspect before he real- izes what is happening.
Ultimately, the main use of UASs in these situations is to reduce the risk to officers and keep them out of harm’s way.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office adheres to Texas Government Code, Chapter 423: Use of Unmanned Aircraft in situations
The drones were
originally intended
to be used for the
reconstruction of
major crash scenes
involving criminal
charges, but have
evolved to be
employed in all major
criminal crime scenes
as well as for tactical
support. To do this,
the agency uses its
drones with Pix4D
photogrammetry
mapping software to
produce 2D and 3D
renderings of crime
scenes. They can
then create video
animations, as well
as measure distances
and surfaces with
sub-centimeter
accuracy.
Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International Vol. 24, No.4
where a search warrant may be required.
Training: The sheriff’s UAS drone operators are considered by the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration (FAA) to be a commer- cial entity; operators must obtain an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certifica- tion. To earn this, the drone operator must pass an aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center and undergo a Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) secu- rity screening.
To prepare for the test, drone pilots attend the 100-hour Drone Pilot Inc. (DPI) Eyes Overhead Small Un- manned Aerial Flight Team Training course. This course is a seven-part, proficiency-based, unmanned aerial operations training program for first responder/professional operators. It focuses on safety first, using pub- lic safety muscle-memory training techniques to build a professional flight team that can respond to the unique missions of first responders and professional Unmanned Aircraft (UA). This is a demanding class which requires self-paced flight practice several times a week totaling 20 hours between phases. The skill learned in Phase 1 is a building block to Phase 2 and Phase 3.
Legalities: The FAA has set regu- lations on weight and distances a UAS can be flown, and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office operates in accordance with the FAA regulations. According to the FAA, federal, state, and local government offices can fly UAVs to support specific missions under either the FAA’s Part 107 rule or by obtaining a Certificate of Au- thorization (COA). These are issued for a specific period of time--usually two years--and include special provi- sions unique to each proposal, such as a defined block of airspace and time of day the UAS can be used. If an agency wishes to certify, they can submit for a COA, but it is not required. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office chose to obtain both Remote Pilot licenses for the pilots in accor-
dance with FAA Part 107 and a COA.
Costs: The cost of utilizing the UAS (drones) is approximately $70-$100 an hour with consideration of the UAS pilot’s pay whether on duty or overtime. On the other hand, it costs approximately $900-$1000 an hour for a helicopter, depending on the size of the aircraft.
The initial cost of a commercial drone such as a DJI Matrice 200 series, depending on the model, is approxi- mately $11,000-$14,000 per package. The operational expenses for a DJI Matric 200 series is about $2,900 every other year for a four-battery set and two propeller set replacements.
The initial cost of a compact drone such as a DJI Mavic Pro series is ap- proximately $2,000 per package. The operational expenses for this type of drone are about $400 every other year for four batteries and two propeller set replacements.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office currently has Standard Operating Procedures in place, and Policies and Procedures are actively being completed.
Aurora, Colorado, Police Department
There are 725 sworn police officers on the Aurora Police Department; it has a population 370,000, and covers an area of 154 square miles
The Aurora Police Department cur- rently has two drones, a new DJI Mavic Pro Platinum and a DJI Mavic Pro. They have used the Mavic Pro to search for a missing child, to photo- graph homicide cases, and to search building rooftops for evidence related to a homicide.
Training and Legalities: The agen- cy’s operators have FAA Part 107 licenses. According to the National Institute of Justice, flight approval is required to operate a drone; law en- forcement agencies are granted flight approval by the Federal Aviation Administration. The official document
DronesKnox18: In Ohio, the Knox County Sheriff ’s Office used a drone during a standoff at an apartment building where the suspect was barricaded inside. The SWAT team broke out the residence’s windows and used the drone to look through upstairs windows to get a better idea of where the suspect was located.
Bexar County Sheriff ’s Office’s drone fleet is currently made up of two commercial UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems or drones) and two compact UAS. The com- mercial drones are DJI Matrice 200s which feature single camera gimbal or pivoted support that allows for rotation. Photo courtesy of Ricardo Requejo Jr.
In tactical support situations, the Bexar County Sher- iff’s Office drones are used where SWAT and/or the ne- gotiators have responded; typically these are stand-off events involving barricaded suspects. The drones are able to provide overhead perspectives of dynamic situ- ations and over-watch for the sheriff’s SWAT operators in the absence of air support helicopters. Photo cour- tesy of Ricardo Requejo Jr.
30
is referred to as a Certificate of Authorization/ Waiver (COA). This approval process allows public agencies and divisions of government to operate UAS in the national airspace; there are no current regulations in place for UAS operations.
In addition, it is recommended that these public agencies establish Policy and Procedures or other guidance documents to operate a UAS. The Part 107 license and agreements with air traffic control in the Aurora area allow the police department to fly after notifying the appropriate control tower.
The agency’s policy and procedures are covered within a police departmental special order which is written to provide members of the agency guidance in deploying and using their UAS (drone) in operational and emergency situations in a manner consistent with the regulations and governance set forth by the FAA. Definitions include reference to a UAS as an aircraft without a human pilot but being controlled by an opera- tor on the ground using a transmitter.
A UAS observer, in brief, is a person who assists the UAS operator in the duties associated with collision avoidance; departmental approval to do so is set forth in the general order. Under this same general order, a UAS operator is the individual exercising control over the drone during flight. Under policy, an operator may respond to specific incidents to capture images and/or video that may assist investigators. These incidents are limited to search and rescue, crime scene evidence documentation, hazmat scenes, and tactical situations involving a hostage, bar- ricaded suspect, or an active shooter. The policy spells out in detail how a request for such mis- sions must be obtained. Additional details are within UAS policy such as what to do in the case of lost link or loss of communication with the UAS, etc.
Camera images are the primary use of the police department’s UAS. It cannot take thermal im- ages, but it can record HD video. The range of the camera isn’t an issue as the drone may only fly line of sight. The Threat of Drones in use by Bad Guys and Counter Measures
According to Newsweek’s Tim O’Connor, FBI Director Christopher Wray has warned members of the Senate that drones will be used by ISIS and criminal gangs including MS-13 to attack the USA. And, yes, the FBI does make use of drones for surveillance in the US, but this use is minimal.
Are there counter measures that can be used against drones? Yes, these include such things as RF (radio frequency) jamming, disrupting the drone’s GNSS (Global Navigation Satel- lite System) or satellite link which acts as its GPS, taking control or hijacking a drone, using laser energy to crash the drone, and us- ing nets and projectiles. However, there can always be a danger when a targeted drone falls or crashes into the ground.
There are federal laws giving certain gov- ernment agencies empowerment to take on outlaw or misused drones.
As for local law enforcement, it can get con- fusing because of issues such as like false arrest under state law. Also, under federal law 18 USC 32, it’s a felony to damage aircraft (manned or unmanned).
The use of drones, while in its infancy now, has a strong potential to be a game changer for the good guys, law enforcement, firefighters, and our military as well as for bad guys, and various brands of terrorists.
About the Authors
Lieut. Jim Weiss (Retired) is a former Army light infan- tryman, school-trained Army combat engineer, a former school-trained (regular Army) Army military police- man, former State of Florida Investigator, and a retired police lieutenant from the Brook Park (OH) Police De- partment. He has written and co-written hundreds of ar- ticles for law enforcement and safety forces magazines, most notably Law and Order. Tactical World, Knives Illustrated, Tactical Response, Police Fleet Manager, Florida Trooper, and Counter Terrorism. Mickey (Michele) Davis is an award-winning, Califor- nia-based writer and author. Her young adult novel, Evangeline Brown and the Cadillac Motel, won the Swiss Prix Chronos for the German trans- lation. Mickey is the wife of a Vietnam War veteran officer and a senior volunteer with her local fire department.
According to
Newsweek’s Tim
O’Connor, FBI Director
Christopher Wray has
warned members of
the Senate that drones
will be used by ISIS
and criminal gangs
including MS-13 to
attack the USA. And,
yes, the FBI does make
use of drones for
surveillance in the US,
but this use is minimal.
This US Army drone is being hand launched. The use of drones, while in its infancy now, has a strong potential to be a game changer for the good guys, law enforcement, firefighters, and our military.
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