Drone Program

Mission & Purpose

The core goals of the Drone Program are to:

• Provide real-time aerial support for officers responding to incidents

• Provide real-time aerial support for fire and rescue operations and life safety issues

• Assist in search and rescue efforts for missing or endangered individuals

• Aid crash reconstruction investigations with aerial mapping

• Document crime scenes or disaster areas from elevated perspectives

• Support tactical and investigative operations safely and cost-effectively

These capabilities allow CPD to be faster, smarter, and safer in its response to emergencies and ongoing investigations.

Program History & Funding

• In early 2025, CPD acquired a DJI M30T drone (featuring a thermal imaging sensor) through Grant Funding, at a cost of approximately $20,000.

• Three CPD officers have successfully obtained their FAA Remote Pilot licenses, ensuring all drone operations comply with federal standards.

• The Conway Police Department also operates under a COA agreement for governmental operations utilizing the drone.

Organization & Staffing

• The Drone Team operates within the department’s Patrol Division, and its missions often align with the needs of the Investigative Services Division.

• The Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team also utilizes drone imagery to conduct detailed scene mapping, providing enhanced accuracy in documentation and analysis.

• Three officers are currently certified as FAA Remote Pilots, each trained for specific conditions such as low-light, thermal, and coordinated multi-drone operations.

Capabilities & Equipment

• DJI M30T Drone — Equipped with thermal imaging and zoom optics, ideal for low-visibility searches and detailed aerial documentation.

• Regulatory Compliance — All operations are conducted under FAA Part 107 certification, or the COA agreement, following national airspace and safety guidelines.

Use Cases & Operations

The Drone Program supports a wide range of law enforcement operations, including:

• Aerial documentation and 3D mapping for crash reconstruction investigations

• Overhead observation and real-time situational awareness during critical incidents

• Search and rescue efforts in wooded or low-visibility environments

• Crime scene photography and documentation for the Investigative Services Division and Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team

• Support for tactical operations and emergency management coordination, as well as other emergency service agencies

Training, Safety & Policy

• All CPD drone pilots maintain FAA Remote Pilot certification and undergo continuous training to stay current on regulations and best practices.

• Strict safety protocols and pre-flight checklists are followed before every mission.

• Drone operations are conducted with respect for privacy, public safety, and compliance with all local and federal laws governing aerial surveillance.

• Operational logs, data security, and flight records are managed in accordance with department policy and FAA guidelines.

Demonstration Video

Below is a brief demonstration of the Conway Police Department’s Drone Program in action. The video showcases real-world applications of the UAS platform during patrol, investigative, and crash reconstruction operations.

2025 Drone Program Activity Overview

The Conway Police Department’s Drone Program continues to play a vital role in supporting law enforcement, emergency response, and community safety across the Mount Washington Valley. Since its inception, the program has become an essential tool for enhancing situational awareness, documenting scenes, and assisting partner agencies in complex operations.

The largest categories of deployment involved search operations related to suspicious activity, followed by assists to fire and rescue agencies and mutual aid responses. Additional uses included scene documentation, searches for missing persons, and critical incident support, including arrests and call-outs for fleeing suspects.

These statistics highlight not only the versatility of unmanned aerial systems but also the professionalism of the trained pilots who deploy them. Each operation is conducted in compliance with FAA Part 107 regulations and Department policy to ensure the responsible, safe, and effective use of this technology in serving the community.