When an eagle hunts, he does it from above. He can scan quickly, searching and gliding silently to its prey. As law enforcement officers, we do our "hunting" a little bit differently. Having eyes in the sky during our patrol is a welcomed asset, allowing us to cover more ground and search broader distances.
Incorporating thermal imaging (TI) technology into your airborne searches and patrols can offer significant advantages. Thermal eyes in the sky can aid in a number of different scenarios. Some examples of using TI from the air include the following:
- Search and rescue
- Anti-terrorism
- Counter-sniper
- Surveillance
- Vehicle pursuits
- Port security
- Narcotics operations
- Diplomatic security
- Disaster response
- Fugitive apprehension
In addition, TIs are not affected by weather. However, both night vision and search lights are inhibited by rain, fog and other weather conditions. In airborne searches, inclement weather can present a significant challenge, potentially counteracting the "bird's eye view" advantages you hope to obtain in the air. The TI displays heat signatures of objects (or people) on the ground, cutting right through fog, smoke and rain.
Finally, a high quality handheld TI can easily be used in aircraft, eliminating the cost and maintenance of the large forward looking infrared cameras mounted on some aircraft. Don't get me wrong, there are many important uses for this mounted infrared equipment; however, because of the great expense to purchase and maintain them, they are often impractical. In addition, the forward looking infrared cameras are large and require a cooling unit. By using a high quality handheld TI, you can achieve versatility and a significantly reduced cost. Handheld TIs can be carried on board with you to be used both in the air and on the ground interchangeably.
There are a few operational points to remember when using your TI in airborne searches. First, TIs cannot see through glass, so you must open a window or a door when using your TI. Secondly, using a TI with zoom capabilities and a high contrast black/white display will keep you close to the action and will present a clear image. Finally, keep it simple with easy to use features and not a lot of color. Thermal imagers with easy operation allow you to focus on the search, and not on operating the TI. A TI with a lot of color on the display can confuse the operator in a situation like this.
If your department does not own a helicopter or airplane, there are still opportunities to integrate your handheld TI camera into airborne searches... you just have to be resourceful. Reach out to neighboring departments that have aircraft and make arrangements to utilize their equipment should the need arise. Don't rule out EMS, fire, or even hospital or media aircraft. With a little research you will be surprised what's available to your department. Make these arrangements now, so that in emergency situations, your department has a plan in place. When you bring your TI on board the local media aircraft, you've transformed this "borrowed" equipment into a useful law enforcement tool.
As always, the key to using thermal imaging technology to its maximum potential is training. Test your TI equipment from the air. Practice searching for suspects in various weather situations and from different altitudes. You'll see first hand the benefits of giving your TI wings!
