Specialist Drone Unit

What is a Specialist Drone Unit?

Using modern aviation technology to support policing from above.

A Specialist Drone Unit (SDU) is a police team responsible for providing unmanned aircraft support to policing operations. Police drones can give officers an aerial perspective that may complement information gathered by teams working on the ground. This can be particularly useful when police need to understand a large area or obtain an overview of a location. Drone units can support a range of policing activities, including searches for missing people, incident response, public safety and the gathering of information relevant to investigations. Drone operators must work within the relevant legal and professional framework governing the use of unmanned aircraft and police information. Appropriate planning, risk assessment and oversight form an important part of responsible drone operations. Specialist Drone Units can work alongside response officers, detectives, search teams, firearms officers and other specialist departments. Their role is to provide an additional capability that can support wider policing objectives. The exact responsibilities, aircraft and equipment used by a drone unit can vary between police forces.