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Police departments

Control Room Integration Supports Community Safety and Police Response in the UK

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police Joint Operations Unit has successfully integrated Drone as First Responder (DFR) technology into a police control room, marking the first trial of its kind in the UK. This innovative initiative allows a network of drones to provide 24/7 fast-response 'eyes in the sky' for incidents reported to the emergency services. The drones, equipped with the latest 'drone in a box' technology, can be remotely deployed from the control room to respond to incidents within minutes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police Joint Operations Unit has integrated DFR technology into a police control room, enabling 24/7 fast-response 'eyes in the sky' for incidents.
  • The DFR drones can be remotely deployed from the control room to respond to incidents within minutes, enhancing community safety and police response.
  • The drones are equipped with 'drone in a box' technology, allowing them to take-off and land safely on rooftops.
  • The DFR technology has been tested in various trial sites, including Norwich, Southampton, the West Midlands, and Gravesend, focusing on different aspects of drone safety and integration.
  • The trials have demonstrated the value of DFR in enhancing policing response to live incidents, with a focus on safety and integration.
  • The DFR technology has the potential to team with neighbouring drones to maintain a continuous watch on scenes, and conduct handovers when battery levels are low.
  • The drones can also be used to record footage for evidential purposes and track suspects leaving the scene.

Statistics:

  • The DFR drones can be remotely deployed within 2 minutes of receiving a call from the police control room.
  • The drones are equipped with weather-proof boxes that can close and charge them for their next mission.
  • The Hampton & Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police Joint Operations Unit has been running DFR trials for over a year, with multiple sites testing different aspects of the technology.
  • The NPCC has been running DFR trials in Norwich, Southampton, the West Midlands, and Gravesend over the last year.

Sources:

  • United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council
  • Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary
  • Thames Valley Police Joint Operations Unit
  • Superintendent Taryn Evans, National Police Chiefs' Council Drones team
  • Superintendent Adrian Hall, Joint Operations Manager for Thames Valley Police and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
  • MIL-OSI Publisher Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council Control room integration supports community safety and police response

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