Fed member gives an insight into the use of drones in policing

23 August 2023

‘I’m coming to work and doing something I love every day’ says Sergeant Vince Saunders who has dedicated the past three years to developing the use of drones within Nottinghamshire Police Force.

The Nottinghamshire Police Federation member has told how using drones has helped save multiple lives, with ever-evolving technology enhancing - rather than replacing - the role of cops.

Vince has been helping to lead the drone team for just over three years, having first expressed an interest in the technology two years prior.

“My father-in-law was a police officer in Hong Kong - seeing how they use drones sparked my interest, and resulted in me getting my first drone. I could see the benefits and potential back then. I could see what the future could be if we started to use drones as a Force and now that’s become a reality,” said  34-year-old Vince.

Sergeant Vince Saunders with one of the drones that have been saving lives

After applying to become a drone pilot, Vince was given the opportunity to take the role one step further.

“At the time, I was a police constable and I was given the chance to help lead the drone team as it was introduced to the Force, which meant supporting the likes of policies, procedures and training,” he explained.

“Now I do the job full-time and I love it. I really am coming into work and doing something I love every day.”

Vince told how drones are now supporting cops on a day-to-day basis, helping officers with all types of jobs, including vehicle pursuits and finding missing people.

The team has grown, with Nottinghamshire Police now home to six drones for external use, plus four more for internal.

“Don’t get me wrong, when I first started, it was a challenge - a challenge proving to others that the drones would benefit us. At first, a lot of people were of the attitude that we were ‘just boys with our toys’, and it’s taken a lot of work to win some people around.

“But drones aren’t replacing officers. In fact, they are enhancing and supporting our roles. From the use of artificial intelligence, tracking and zoom capabilities, drones can work quickly and efficiently, which frees up vital time for police officers,” Vince continued.

“We’re definitely getting a lot more positive recognition nowadays.

“One job in particular springs to mind - when a missing person was reported in a rural area. The drone managed to locate that person in a 1,000-metre field. That person had overdosed and the drone found them by finding a tiny speck of heat in such a huge space.”

He stressed that drones are 'literally helping to save lives, without a doubt'.

“And technology is only advancing," he added. When it comes to how drones can support the police in the future, the possibilities really are endless.”

READ MORE: National Police Memorial Day keeps the memory of fallen colleagues alive