APD Annual Reports - 2018 Annual Report | Page 37

The combination of portability and power has made the Mavic Pro a great airframe for law enforcement applications. It comes standard with a high-precision, three-axis stabilized gimbal, and professional grade camera. The unit serves as a best practices workgroup and is routinely contacted by departments establishing their UAS program for assistance in set up and recommendations for their operations. As the unit continues to evolve, there are many future plans including the proposed acquisition of new aircraft in 2019. These aircraft will include Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) capabilities in addition to specialized lighting and spotlights with loud speakers. This will significantly increase the unit’s ability to add operational capabilities at night and during situations where de-escalation is necessary. The Aviation Unit provided news interviews to educate the public on the uses and technology that the aircraft platform provides. The department maintains a dedicated web page for citizen outreach efforts. Arlington, Texas Police Department | 37