Action 16.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
County Sheriff
- Meeting Date:
- 04/08/2014
- Title:
- Sheriff's Office Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
- Submitted By:
- Mark Genz, County Sheriff
- Department:
- County Sheriff
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature NOT Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
0
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Mark Genz
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Commander
Docket Number (If applicable):
Mandated Function?:
Not Mandated
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve the acceptance of a donation to acquire a Lockheed Martin QR-425 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for use in law enforcement and search and rescue activities.
Background:
A Lockheed Martin QR-425 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has been offered by private foundation to be purchased for the Sheriff's Office. This vehicle is small in size, approximately 4-5 pounds, and very limited in its use. It has the capability to fly for 20-40 minutes on one battery charge and will not be flown greater than 400 feet above ground level (AGL).
This UAV will be used in the following type scenarios; for a SWAT mission where a search warrant has been obtained to make entry into a structure. The UAV can be flown above the target structure to watch for movement such as people running or hiding on the property. For limited search and rescue where a lost/injured person is known to be in a particular area but cannot be located. The UAV can go up and for a limited time attempt to locate that person.
Other uses may include gathering information in hazardous type situations. This could be going up and getting a broad look at things like wildland fires, structure fires or mapping vehicular crash areas. As this program develops I am confident we will find varied uses for the UAV.
Flying this type of vehicle requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval will be requested from the FAA and all the required paperwork completed before the UAV is put into operational use.
Cochise College teaches a UAV program and the Sheriff's Office will partner with Cochise College for training and paperwork submission. This partnership will allow continued training with subject matter experts and provide a two-way partnership for the research and development of this program.
There is no cost to the county for this equipment.
This UAV will be used in the following type scenarios; for a SWAT mission where a search warrant has been obtained to make entry into a structure. The UAV can be flown above the target structure to watch for movement such as people running or hiding on the property. For limited search and rescue where a lost/injured person is known to be in a particular area but cannot be located. The UAV can go up and for a limited time attempt to locate that person.
Other uses may include gathering information in hazardous type situations. This could be going up and getting a broad look at things like wildland fires, structure fires or mapping vehicular crash areas. As this program develops I am confident we will find varied uses for the UAV.
Flying this type of vehicle requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval will be requested from the FAA and all the required paperwork completed before the UAV is put into operational use.
Cochise College teaches a UAV program and the Sheriff's Office will partner with Cochise College for training and paperwork submission. This partnership will allow continued training with subject matter experts and provide a two-way partnership for the research and development of this program.
There is no cost to the county for this equipment.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Accept the donation of the UAV and continue in the process of acquiring the required certifications, training and authorization through the proper channels to begin to use the system.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
This is another tool that can provide for the safety and effectiveness of Sheriff's Office personnel. Without this additional tool we do not have the capability to get a broader view of potential dangerous situations when conducting high-risk operations. This program has the potential to increase our ability to gather information in many varied types of situations.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
N/A