ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – For the first time in New Mexico, police are using drones that can fly beyond the line of sight — meaning they can be operated from miles away. The Albuquerque Police Department said the new drone technology is helping officers get eyes on active crime scenes faster than ever before and has already led to multiple arrests.
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The first-of-its-kind program in the state allows FAA-certified drone pilots to operate the drones from the department’s Real Time Crime Center, rather than being physically present at the scene. From there, they can monitor situations in real time and communicate directly with officers on the ground. “[The drones] can respond to calls and get on scene much faster than an officer would be able to get there and launch a drone from the trunk of his car,” said APD Deputy Chief J.J. Griego.
Currently, APD has 10 drones stationed at six docking “hives” across Albuquerque. Each drone is equipped with high-definition zoom capabilities and thermal cameras and can fly up to 45 miles per hour. “The drone can also get lower to look under patio covers and get into places where we can’t necessarily see with a helicopter,” Griego added. “So we know where somebody is before we go into a backyard and both of us are surprised, which sometimes has adverse outcomes.”…