Minnesota is considered one of the most “drone friendly” states in the nation.  In fact, the Fairfax, VA-based Mercatus Center ranks the Wolverine State #5 on its annual 50-state scorecard.  While important commercial drone applications, including farm management, are an important reason for Minnesota’s top ranking, another is law enforcement.  More than 80 police and fire agencies statewide, including most recently, those in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, deploy drones in a variety of roles and missions, including crime scene/accident analysis, criminal pursuit and search and rescue.

One of the first Minnesota cities to deploy police drones was tiny Woodbury, which purchased its first drone – the popular DJI Matrice 3000 RTK, at a cost of $39,000 – in early 2021.  Other small Minnesota towns including Eden Prairie, Edina, Crystal, Coon Rapids, Golden Valley and Plymouth followed suit, based largely on word of mouth from one agency to the next, or on media reporting of a drone success – usually a search and rescue of a child – that spread like wildfire.

In fact, one of the original catalysts for police interest may have been the operations of a private recreational drone flier who launched his UAV when a 6-year boy, Ethamn Haius, went missing in the small town of Becker, MN.  Police weren’t able to find the boy, but the flier’s drone, equipped with a thermal imaging camera, soon located him in a cornfield in the darkness based on his heat signature alone.  The local Sheriff’s County immediately set about purchasing a police drone and several nearby cities followed suit.

However, not all Minnesota’s citizens have jumped on the drone bandwagon.  Concerns over possible invasions of privacy and police surveillance of peaceful protests – many of them exaggerated – slowed progress, initially.  With the support of the ACLU, some anti-drone activists pushed for a state law that required all police agencies to hold a public hearing before purchasing a drone.

In addition, because of some early reported abuses, law enforcement is generally required to obtain a search warrant before launching a drone in a criminal pursuit operation.  In addition, police agencies are restricted from using facial imaging technology during a routine overflight of a non-violent public gathering.

Advocates for police drone use discount the need for UAVs for surveillance purposes and say building public trust in drone use is their top concern.  Minnesota police agencies have faced significant finding cutbacks in recent years and drones, they say, are a critical force multiplier, allowing fewer field officers to be deployed in the field and also shielding them from injury or death.

In most small towns like Woodbury, the department’s drone is most likely to be used for search and rescue.  “Getting a UAS in the air quickly to locate a missing person — especially in the winter months — can save precious time,” Woodbury police Cmdr. John Altman said.  In addition to enhancing crime scene analysis drones can also assist with fire-fighting estimates and inspections of public infrastructure, he added.

The Twin Cities have only recently embraced drones.  Minneapolis began debating the issue late last year, and St. Paul only this month.  St Paul police officials, who have watched a contentious debate unfold in Minneapolis over several months, are taking their time to win over potential critics.

“We understand that this new technology may concern some people, especially when we’re talking about privacy concerns,” senior commander Brad Hazlett told ABC News affiliate KZET.com.

In a recent criminal pursuit, St. Paul police were forced to turn to a neighboring small town for drone support, which rankled police officials, who say they need UAVs of their own.  “Anytime you have to rely on someone else for this kind of support, it costs you valuable time and degrades the quality of your operations,” Hazelett said.

The first of two public meetings to discuss the police department’s plan was held last week.  Hazlett said he’s confident that local citizens will eventually approve the plan, which calls for the purchase of five new drones at a cost of roughly $10.000 each.

“There’s a critical shortage of new officers coming into our field. With drones, we can do more with less,” he added.

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