Mark Shelton,Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management
New additions to Tasmania Police’s drone fleet are the latest weapons in fighting crime as part of the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to keeping Tasmanians safe.
Tasmania Police will now be operating 22 drones across the state available to support Road and Public Order Services, Forensic Services, Search and Rescue and Marine, as well as specialist and tactical units.
There are three new types of drones that are specifically designed to have increased flight times, remote area capability, 3D modelling to help with serious crash and crime scenes and the ability to drop objects into remote areas or to people.
We currently have 20 remote pilots and are in the process of recruiting 5 more to utilise the drones to assist in policing operations.
Last financial year drones were used in 227 operations to support policing activities and investigations, which include successes across the state where offenders in stolen and evading vehicles have been apprehended with drone support.
Tasmania Police has also located a number of stolen vehicles in bushland near Launceston by using drones and have deployed drones to assist in searches for missing Tasmanians across the state.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is investing $400,000 into the drones program as part of our commitment to providing Tasmania Police with the best technology to keep Tasmanians safe.
