New York State Police Conduct Multi-Agency Drone Training in Guilderland
Night Training Proves Challenging for Law Enforcement
On Thursday night, the New York State Police Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) held a special law enforcement multi-agency drone training in Guilderland. The training program brought together nearly a dozen different law enforcement agencies to learn the ins and outs of operating drones in a night-time environment.
Classroom Training Before Night Flight
According to Joseph Malorgio, Coordinator of New York State Troop G, UAS, night training is historically the most challenging kind of flying for manned aircraft or unmanned aircraft. To prepare, the class went through a series of presentations and discussions on night operations, search and rescue tactics, and thermal imaging.
Flying Search Patterns and Identifying Drones
The training session included flying search patterns, which are used to quickly search for objects or people in a designated area. Malorgio explained that this technique is particularly useful for finding objects in areas with easily trackable features like waterways, roadways, trails, and power lines.
However, NEWS10 learned that spotting a drone can be tricky, especially at night. Garrett Gainor, State Police UAS Assistant Coordinator, noted that the drone’s noise is higher pitched than a Black Hawk helicopter, making it easier to distinguish. However, visually identifying the drone can be more challenging.
Deception of Nighttime Viewing
Malorgio highlighted the potential for false reporting due to nighttime viewing’s deceptive nature. "The depth perception in the night is tricky as far as the heights of the platforms and where they’re flying. It may look like it’s about to fly into a tree, but it’s really a couple hundred feet behind that tree and a couple hundred feet in the air, well above it."
Successful Training Session
The UAS Coordinators deemed the training session a success, with agencies from Ulster County and Rockland County traveling to participate. Malorgio noted that the importance of the training was recognized by all attendees, who saw the benefits of the training for their agencies.
Conclusion
The New York State Police’s multi-agency drone training in Guilderland demonstrates the importance of night-time training for law enforcement agencies. The training session highlighted the challenges of operating drones in low-light conditions and the need for accurate identification techniques. As drone technology continues to evolve, such training sessions will become increasingly crucial for effective law enforcement.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the New York State Police’s multi-agency drone training?
A: The training aims to educate law enforcement agencies on the effective use of drones in night-time operations.
Q: What are some challenges of operating drones at night?
A: Night-time operations can be challenging due to the deceptive nature of nighttime viewing, which can lead to false reporting.
Q: How do law enforcement agencies identify drones at night?
A: Agencies can identify drones by listening for the higher-pitched noise and observing the drone’s movement and height.
Q: Why is nighttime training important for law enforcement?
A: Nighttime training is crucial for law enforcement agencies to prepare for the unique challenges of operating drones in low-light conditions.
