Drones To Help Cherry Hill Police With Emergency, Search Missions

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill police will soon begin using drones for emergency and disaster response, and to find fleeing and missing persons, the police department announced this week.

The Cherry Hill Police Department recently purchased a small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS). The police department purchased the system using confiscated funds, and currently has 20 fully trained and certified pilots.

It is equipped with video camera equipment, which police can use for a search and rescue mission or to provide aerial footage of a motor vehicle accident or crime scene.

“This additional resource will have an impact on the efficiency of operations and safety of our police and residents,” police said in the announcement. “The department instituted a comprehensive policy to govern the use of the sUASs.”

The police used $18,000 in confiscated funds to pay for the system, according to NJ Pen. About $10,000 covered the cost of training, and $8,000 paid for the drones.