Has Completed All FAA Requirements To Fly Small UAVs

The Nevada Highway Patrol has become the first law enforcement agency in the state to be fully certified to use small UAVs.

The FAA approved the application after the agency fulfilled all federal, state and local requirements for the certification, including training and education in safe operation of drones weighing under 55 pounds.

The Las Vegas Review Journal reports that the NHP will use the aircraft for such missions as mapping accident scenes using video and still photography and special software. Trooper Daniel Marek said at a news conference in Las Vegas that the aircraft will allow the NHP to open up accident scenes more quickly.

The agency will operate three aircraft purchased with the help of a $10,000 grant from the state Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has also been looking into using the aircraft, but has not finalized it's policy for putting them into everyday use, according to the report.

(Image from Facebook)

FMI: http://nhp.nv.gov