U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Want To Start a UAS Program? The Arlington Police Department Has Lessons Learned To Share
NCJ Number
              249678

Author(s)
          Becky Lewis
Date Published

January 2016
Length
              4 pages
Annotation
              This article discusses the benefits and challenges that compose the lessons learned from the Arlington (Texas) Police Department’s (APD’s) deployment of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS).
Abstract
              The UAS consists of miniature, unmanned helicopters that are approximately 5-feet long and able to fly for about 15 minutes on battery power. The APD has been operating a UAS program for several years.  After completing 2 years of testing, evaluation, and training, the APD received from the Federal Aviation Administration its official Certificate of Authorization (COA) to operate a UAS.  The APD was one of the first law enforcement agencies located in a densely populated urban area to receive a COA.  The CAO restrictions include flying under 400 feet from the ground only in daylight within sight of the operator and a safety observer at all times.  It must also maintain contact with the control tower of a specified airport.  In addition, the system may not be used for pursuit or traffic enforcement.  Within these challenging restrictions, the APD reports being able to use the UAS program for accident and crime-scene reconstruction and the search for missing persons.  One of the first cases that used an unmanned helicopter involved the exterior observation of an active-shooter barricade.  All officers who operate the helicopters are licensed pilots, because all flights occur in controlled airspace.
      
  
          Additional Details
Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 2016
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Law enforcement
        Vehicles
        Police manpower deployment
        Crime Scene
        Active shooter



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Policies and practices in cold cases: an exploratory study
                  Inherent variation in multiple shoe-sole test impressions
                  What’s Missing Matters: Examining Missing Data Problems in Sexual Assault Kit Data
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov