A new tool is being used for vehicle accident investigations and search-and-rescue operations in Apache Junction — a drone.
The drone program is to provide aerial support to police operations in a safe, responsible, transparent manner while in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, Apache Junction Police Department Officer Joel Eagleton, who has an FAA license to fly the drone, said during the Aug. 2 meeting of the City Council.
He and other city officials updated the council on AJPD’s new drone program.
“(I)In addition to the pilot, there will be someone there to observe the area, to make sure that the drone is flying safely, and this will not be flown for a routine patrol. The only way this will be flown is if a commander approves it and if it meets all of the recommendations that are recommended by the FAA,” Eagleton said. “(W)e’re here to help the public. This isn’t going to be something we’re flying around looking for marijuana plants in the backyard or something like that. This is so if somebody gets hurt we can quickly put this up and get help for them.”
Up to seven AJPD motorcycle and patrol officers would be part of the drone program, Eagleton said.
“That way we can utilize this 24 hours a day if needed,” he said.
Law enforcement officials in other area municipalities and counties use drones, the council was told.
“(O)ur group is utilizing technology in a way that will help us and our community to be safer as well as our police department and we are doing all we can to catch up to the other cities and towns in the Valley who are utilizing the technology of drones,” City Manager Bryant Powell said.
The council update was an unveiling of the new program, AJPD Chief Thomas E. Kelly said.
“Tonight I am actually honored to unveil this program that we’ve been working diligently on,” he said.
“(W)e’re just trying to stay in the loop and provide another service to our community that I think will bring some more safety not only to the community but also will help us in cutting down on some of the major traffic scenes that we normally deal with in regards to recording them and then in regards to some safety elements that our officers face on a regular basis in some high-risk situations,” Kelly said.
AJPD drone program
The department uses a DJI Mavic 2 drone with advanced thermal capabilities for help in low-light situations, a spotlight attachment and a speaker that can be used to explain that help is on the way.
The drone cost $7096.09, with some accessories like batteries and software purchased with grant funds, AJPD Cpl. Marshall Harshman, community and media liaison officer, said.
“Unfortunately accidents can occur while our citizens and visitors are using the hiking trails or off-road vehicles. The AJPD drone will assist officers in search-and-rescue efforts and can help find people in need much faster than an officer on foot or at a patrol vehicle,” Harshman said in a video shown to the council. “Within just a few minutes of receiving a call of a missing person, we can have a drone up in the air conducting a search over vast amounts of ground.”
In vehicle accident investigations, the drone can be used to help document the scene, Harshman said.
“The AJPD drone and the accompanying software can help assist with completing the traffic investigation much faster, allowing for roadways to open several hours earlier. This will help prevent secondary collisions and it will get our officers off the road faster for their own safety,” he said.
AJPD’s drone pilots must pass a test administered by the FAA, he said.
“The drone is just one more tool that we now have to enhance the safety of our citizens and our first-responders,” Harshman said.
Richard Dyer Managing Editor | East Valley @RHDyer
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
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