Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Program

MISSION:

The mission of the Laconia Police Department’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Program is to provide airborne support to police and emergency operations in a safe, responsible, and transparent manner, for the purpose of increasing the safety and security of citizens in the City of Laconia.

OVERVIEW:

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), more commonly known as drones, have proven a valuable resource for law enforcement, first responders, and during emergency service operations.  The benefits and value this program provides to improve public safety include; an overhead view of a specific area or incident for ground personnel, safely clearing the interior of buildings, providing detailed documentation of crime and accident scenes, and searching for lost or missing persons.

PRIVACY RIGHTS:

It is important to note that, out of respect for civil liberties and personal privacy, the Laconia Police Department’s UAS policy specifically prohibits the use of the UAS for random surveillance activities, to target a person based solely on individual characteristics, such as, but not limited to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation, to harass, intimidate or discriminate against any individual or group.  The UAS will not be weaponized.  The Laconia Police Department UAS Team maintains a strict adherence to the 4th amendment to the Constitution and trains regularly to maintain that reputation.

The UAS Team is currently authorized to operate Class G airspace up to 400’ above any area in Laconia and the rest of the state (excluding areas by Manchester Airport, Concord Airport, Portsmouth (Pease) Airport, Lebanon Airport, and the Nashua Airport.).

OUR TEAM:

• Program Supervisor: Captain Allan Graton
• Chief Pilot: Sergeant Robert Sedgley
• Pilot: MPO Jonathan Howe
• Pilot: Officer Sean McCormack
• Pilot: Officer Jonathan Milne
• Pilot: Officer Beau Perras