CAMBRIDGE, MD - The Cambridge Police Department has announced the addition of a new drone program to assist with law enforcement efforts within the city.
Police say the Unmanned Aircraft System, or UAS, will be included as a specialized unit within the Department, with five officers currently licensed to fly the drones. Those officers will continue to train monthly to keep up to date on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and hone their skills operating the UAS, according to the Cambridge Police Department.
The new drones are intended to assist police patrols, criminal investigations, and community policing. Police say the UAS will provide a variety of support such as crime scene mapping, traffic enforcement, active K9 aerial cover, fire scene footage for firefighters, information gathering, and de-escalation in hostage situations, among others.
“Utilizing a UAS system can provide vital information to officers on scene or officers that are responding to active calls for service,” the Cambridge Police Department said in a social media post on April 10.
Police assure the public that the UAS will not be used for spying or infringing on neighbors’ rights. Anyone with questions on the new drone program can contact police at 410-228-3333.