The Ghana Police Service has taken delivery of a remotely piloted aerial system ‘drone’ to monitor activities in the country during this year’s general election. Also referred to as unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the system was donated by the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), power distributors. Until recently, drones were used by the military in combat zones where the life of a pilot on board an aircraft could be at risk. However, advancement in technology has led to the use of the device for other purposes.
Request
According to the Chief Executive Officer of GRIDCo, Mr William Amuna, the company acquired the device following a request from the police. He said as a result of advancement in technology, law enforcement agencies in most parts of the world were deploying the state-of-the-art device to fight crime to ensure security. He, therefore, impressed on the police the need to acquire such facilities to facilitate their work. Commendation The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr John Kudalor, commended GRIDCo for the support and pledged to use the system to enhance police operations. He said the device would facilitate the monitoring role of the police, especially during the upcoming December elections.
Display
Officials of GRIDCo showed how the device, which can operate within a 50-mile radius, is operated. GRIDCO is to train some selected policemen on the control of the system. In the United States of America, Federal Aviation Authority guidelines demand that drones and other model aircraft must stay less than 400 feet above the ground and not within three miles of an airport.
Source: Graphiconline
