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In recent years, Marine Region has been exploring the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) as a cost-effective and sustainable solution for use in search and rescue missions, day-to-day policing, and supporting command and control during major incidents. It has proven itself to be the perfect utility to cover large areas over sparse islands and open bodies of water where radar and policing coverage is limited.
With advanced equipment such as thermal imager and remote public address systems installed on the UAS, such UAS could be used for detecting heat signatures in remote hillsides and broadcast messages in rural areas to achieve diversified policing mission objectives.
Marine Region’s UAS Team was established as the first of its kind in the Force and now boasts 31 trained team members in its ranks. Safety and precision are of paramount importance to the safe operation of UAS, thus all operators were carefully selected and received intensive training comparable to that of international levels, before they are deemed qualified to carry out both ad hoc and pre-planned UAS flight missions.
To ensure all flight missions are legally compliant, the Civil Aviation Department and the Department of Justice have been fully involved on the Standard Operating Procedures and the Flight Operations Manual and provided valuable advice. Apart from carrying out missions for Marine Region, the Team has also turned out for missions to other Regions, and has even assisted in the training, development, and formation of other units’ very own UAS Teams.
Among the numerous flight deployments, the most memorable search and rescue operation was a turnout to Lamma Island in January 2020 to assist the search for an 80-year-old elderly woman who went missing. The Team displayed great mobility and efficiency, and proved how aerial search could enhance the Force’s search and rescue capabilities.
“On the day, UAS deployment was an effective way of bridging the gap between land and aerial search, especially where helicopters of the Government Flying Service are restricted by their minimum flight altitudes. Our UAS can provide a closer look above ground. The Team communicated and worked closely with members of the public during the mission – not only did this provide a fine example of the Force serving the local community with technology, but it also increased the public’s confidence and trust in the Force”, a member of the UAS Team recalled.
Currently accumulating more than 1 000 accident-free hours of flight missions since its establishment, the UAS Team is now advocating the wider use of such technology for policing functions across the Force. The UAS Team has, with their policing flight experiences, established a reliable, structured, and standardised airmanship training programme. The UAS Team welcomes requests of support in any operations from any units and holds training or co-training sessions.
