Application Analysis of Drones in Law Enforcement and Security Industries

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I. Application Value

The introduction of drone technology has revolutionized law enforcement and security operations across efficiency, cost, and safety dimensions, providing comprehensive solutions for B2B users such as public security agencies, border patrols, and emergency management departments.

1. Enhancing Law Enforcement Efficiency

With aerial perspectives and rapid deployment capabilities, drones can arrive on-site within 3–5 minutes, improving response speeds by 5–10 times compared to traditional ground forces or helicopters. For example, in traffic accident investigations, the time required to assess multivehicle collision scenes has been reduced from hours to under 10 minutes, significantly minimizing road closures and public disruption.

2. Reducing Operational Costs

A single drone costs only 1/20th of a police helicopter, with maintenance requiring just 1–2 operators, leading to over 70% savings in long-term aerial surveillance costs. AI-powered anomaly detection further reduces manual patrol frequency. For instance, Ningbo’s “Eagle Eye Patrol” unit decreased onsite inspections by 80%.

3. Improving Operational Safety

In high-risk scenarios such as chemical leaks, forest fires, or nighttime pursuits, drones can replace personnel in hazardous zones, remotely collecting data via thermal imaging and gas sensors to minimize officer casualties.

4. Data-Driven Decision Making

Drone-captured video, trajectory data, and AI analysis integrate directly into law enforcement big data platforms, enabling “air-ground integrated” command systems. For example, aerial footage combined with facial and license plate recognition accelerates evidence collection, enhancing case resolution rates.

II. Key Operational Scenarios

1. Public Security and Routine Surveillance

① Automated Patrols: Predefined flight paths enable 24/7 unmanned patrols. DJI’s “Shenzhen 2.0 + Hangar” solution, equipped with 30x zoom and AI recognition, detects suspicious activities or unauthorized gatherings. Ningbo police reported a 90% increase in incident detection using this model.

② Large-scale Event Security: At concerts or sports events, drones monitor crowd density and flow, using loudspeakers for remote crowd control and coordinating ground forces to address conflicts. For example, drones ensured seamless security for 1.5 million attendees at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

2. Criminal Investigations and Tactical Support

① Crime Scene Reconstruction: High-resolution cameras (12+ MP) and LiDAR quickly generate 3D models of crime scenes. The UK’s Lincolnshire Police used drone data to preserve critical evidence for court proceedings.

② Suspect Tracking: Lownoise propellers and infrared thermal cameras allow covert tracking of fugitives in complex terrain or at night, relaying real-time positions to ground teams. This method was pivotal in risk mitigation during Jiaxing’s Centennial CCP Celebration.

3. Traffic Management and Accident Response

① Real-Time Traffic Monitoring: Fixed-wing drones with extended endurance (2–4 hours) survey highways and urban arteries, identifying congestion and optimizing traffic signals. During the Dubai Expo, drones streamlined traffic for 24 million visitors.

② Accident Reconstruction: LiDAR and wide-angle cameras create geotagged 3D models, calculating collision angles and skid marks. Guangzhou traffic police reduced on-scene clearance time by 70%.

4. Specialized Zone Control

① Border and Coastal Patrols: Hybrid VTOL drones cover 80 km per sortie, curbing illegal crossings. Guangxi’s Fangchenggang deployed them to secure coastal boundaries.

② Critical Infrastructure Protection: Autonomous drones patrol perimeters of power plants or oil depots, triggering alarms via infrared sensors upon detecting intruders.

5. Disaster Relief and Emergency Response

① Forest Fire Detection: Dual-spectrum thermal cameras pinpoint fire hotspots with <5% error, guiding firefighting teams. Nanjing’s daily drone patrols enabled early fire containment.

② Search and Rescue: In earthquakes or floods, thermal imaging penetrates smoke and foliage to locate survivors. California police located a missing hiker in 2019, tripling traditional search efficiency.

III. Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

① 360° Visibility: Aerial views eliminate blind spots in urban gaps or rugged terrain, ideal for large-scale events.

② Rapid Deployment: Multirotor drones navigate skyscrapers; fixed-wing variants cover vast areas.

③ Real-Time Data: 5G networks enable sub-10ms latency for live decision-making.

④ Risk Mitigation: Drones replace humans in hazardous missions (e.g., chemical leaks, pandemics).

Limitations

① Regulatory Hurdles: Urban no-fly zones and approval delays may impede emergency responses.

② Technical Shortcomings: Multirotor drones have 25–40 min flight times; fixed-wing models require runways.

③ Environmental Sensitivity: High winds (>Level 6), rain, or sub-10 °C temperatures degrade performance (e.g., battery life drops 20–30%).

④ Data Security Risks: Unencrypted transmissions risk interception. Compliance with Security Technical Requirements for Police UAVs (e.g., AES256 encryption) is mandatory.

IV. Drone Types and Applications

Drone Type	Key Features	Applications
Multirotor Drones	Vertical takeoff/landing, hovering, multisensor payloads (visible/thermal/LiDAR)	Urban patrols, closerange recon, emergency rescue
Fixed-Wing Drones	Long endurance (2–8h), high speed, large coverage (100+ km)	Border patrols, highway monitoring, wide-area search
Hybrid VTOL UAVs	Combines vertical takeoff with long endurance; no runway needed	Complex terrain (mountains, islands)
Tethered Drones	Continuous power via cable, 24/7 hovering, comms relay	Event security, post-disaster comms
Autonomous Hangar UAVs	Automated takeoff/landing, remote charging, preprogrammed routes	Fixed-zone patrols (e.g., industrial parks)
CounterUAV Systems	Signal jamming (2 km range) for rogue drone neutralization	Anti”black flight” operations, sensitive zone protection