LANSING, Mich. (WZZM) - The Michigan State Police already have a helicopter that they can use if they need to investigate a scene from above, but now the FAA has given MSP the go-ahead to use aerial drones.
Wednesday afternoon, members of the media were invited to check out the the latest tool in the investigative tool box. It's an Aeryon Sky Ranger, also known as an unmanned aerial device or drone.
The drone comes with a heavy price tag: $160,000 paid for by a federal grant. But unlike its consumer cousin, this one has a 50-minute battery life, flies by GPS using a touch screen pad, can fly in 40 mph winds, and can fly itself back to base if it looses connection to the operator.
MSP is the first police agency in the country to get approval to use drones statewide.
"We would be looking at uses for something like a search and rescue for missing children and elderly," explains Lt. Pat Lawrence, chief pilot for the MSP.
Recently, it was used to investigate a house fire in Jenison.
"Large crash scenes like on I-94 a few weeks ago would be an excellent use for it," too, explains Lt. Lawrence.
If you are worried how the drones will be deployed, the state police worked with the ACLU to help develop usage guidelines.
"I am a private citizen just like everyone else," said Sgt. Jerry King. "Anytime we go on a mission, it is approved by our upper chain of command, so anything we are doing with this device is what we would have done with the plane or the helicopter."
Recordings from the drone's camera will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
