Hertfordshire Constabulary launch new drone team
Hertfordshire Constabulary has expanded its drone capabilities, adding a new specially trained drone team to their Operational Support Group (OSG).
Last updated 8th Dec 2024
The Operational Support Group is a specialist police unit in Hertfordshire Constabulary that tackle volume priority and organised criminality, such as robbery, burglary, drugs and assaults. They are trained in police tactics such as executing warrants, public order and taser deployment.
10 new specially trained drone pilots will be working in collaboration with the five drone pilots already in the Rural Operational Support Team (ROST), with four drones in use across both teams.
These drones can support police in a number of ways, including high-risk missing person searches, scene investigations, and during major incidents.
Inspector Paul Stanbridge, head of the OSG, said: “Drone technology has improved so much in recent years, it's only right that we have increased capacity in using this crucial equipment across Herts police. Whether we’re looking for a missing person or pursuing an offender, drones are a vital tool in modern policing.
"The deployment of drones also supports the constabulary’s commitment to tackling serious and organised crime, by assisting with the identification of cannabis factories in Hertfordshire.
“Our increased drone capability is a demonstrable way of ensuring that we can offer an agile and adaptable service, to meet the needs of the constabulary and the residents we serve.”