MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) – Manitowoc Police is showing off its newest toy.
The department held a Tuesday morning demonstration of the drone it started using in June.
Officer Richard Ladwig is currently the one officer trained to use the device.
“We’ve used it a couple of times, usually for search and rescue. We have done some photographs of crime scenes, accident scenes, those kinds of things.”
Ladwig explains the benefit the technology gives them in search and rescue assignments.
“It gives us a lot faster response. We can get into areas that would be maybe inaccessible otherwise.”
He notes the drone can also give them a leg up when fighting crime.
“If we’re searching for a wanted subject, it’s more of an officer safety thing: we can see them before they can see us.”
Since the program was launched in June, Ladwig says they’ve purchased some additional items.
“We’ve made some upgrades to (the drone): a seven-time zoom camera, a clear, or forward-facing infrared camera. We kind of have the minimum pieces to get a drone program up and running.”
Ladwig notes the equipment has cost roughly $9,000 thus far, with a fairly even split between grant dollars and forfeiture money.
While Ladwig is currently the only officer trained to use the drone, he says the department wants to add that number in the coming months.
No timetable was provided, with Ladwig noting that getting a remote pilot’s license can be a lengthy process.
