COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Columbus Police Department (CPD) has received a $2000 donation from the local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA Chapter 729) to help establish an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS or Drone) program within the department.
The initiative aims to certify CPD with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and procure drones to be used by the department in natural disasters and critical incidents, such as a missing or endangered person.
The funding, obtained by EAA via a grant from Duke Energy, will go directly to the effort of obtaining the FAA’s certificate of authorization for CPD, which will allow the process to start for training and certifying officers as drone pilots.
This is the first step in adding potentially lifesaving equipment to the police department. “We appreciate everything that our first responders do on the frontlines in responding to emergencies every day,” said Kylie Foster, government and community relations manager for Duke Energy. “The drones are another tool they can use to help in emergencies that arise.”
