New York State Police Unmanned Aerial System

The announcement of the unmanned aerial program by New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo states that drones will be used to support law enforcement on disaster response and traffic safety. This aerial program will be used to assist law enforcement and become more cost effective over police helicopters and planes.

Initially four drones will be put into action this month serving eight counties in Western New York, seven counties in Central New York, five counties west of the Hudson River, and ten counties in the Capital Region. They plan to have an additional 14 drones throughout the state by April 2018. "This state-of-the-art technology will improve emergency response, improve operational and cost efficiencies, and increase Trooper safety," Governor Cuomo wrote. 

The drones will support systems by reconstructing motor vehicle crashes in less time that the current methods. This will result in shorter road closures and less congestion for drivers. They will prove to aid in dangerous situations keeping state troopers safe such as in the case of natural disasters. 

A spokesperson from the State Police office told State Scoop that they assured the public these drones will not be used for surveillance but for law enforcement missions only. A few of these include crash reports, natural disasters and search and rescue missions. 

The members that will operate these drones will be state police, FAA certified and will have 32 hours of hands on training with these systems.

For more information on the program and the State Troopers Foundation that is donating these drones to the program visit the New York Governor's website.

Lead image by Powie via Pixabay.

[via State Scoop and Governor.NY.gov]