In recent months, the LZPD NRW has tested the use of drones in eleven district police authorities. The result of the pilot project is consistently positive: drones make police work easier in many areas. The drones have proven particularly effective in accident investigation and securing evidence.
"We have found that the drones are particularly helpful in documenting serious accidents. Whereas previously a highway had to be closed for up to four hours to record an accident, the work is now often completed within an hour," says Thomas Roosen, Director of the State Office for Central Police Services. Project manager Jasmin Follak is also enthusiastic: "In the drone pilot project, technology meets passion. This new operational tool opens up completely new perspectives for the police. This was demonstrated by around 560 flights during the pilot project." The better overview means that missing persons can be found more quickly. Crime scenes at risk of collapse or dangerous scenes can be inspected with the help of drones without putting police officers in danger.
From 2021, the North Rhine-Westphalian police will initially be equipped with 76 drones in the areas of forensic investigation centers, the crime scene survey group of the State Criminal Police Office and the riot police. In a next step, a further 30 drones will be procured for the traffic accident investigation teams. Numerous remote pilots are currently undergoing further training, and a total of up to 276 of them will then be in use across the country. Similar to a helicopter, the drones can be requested by the authorities if necessary.