The future of airborne law enforcement is as exciting as the history of the professions past.
With miniaturization and cost efficiencies, some of the technologies that were once out of
reach to assist airborne law enforcement better perform its missions are now accessible. While
technologies such as Forward-Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) sensors and Night Vision Goggles (NVG)
have been in use for a number of years, the cost and size of these sensors are shrinking.
Smaller, less expensive or, on the opposite spectrum, larger, more expensive airframes are
being used in airborne law enforcement. Perhaps the most game-changing technology for
airborne law enforcement, since the introduction of the small turbine engine for helicopter use,
will be the introduction of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
Researching any of these technologies will place you at the leading edge of the airborne law
enforcement profession. Remember, as with almost any technology, especially with regards to
surveillance, there are benefits and drawbacks. If you discuss sensors and/or platforms to
deploy sensors, a discussion of the Fourth Amendment to the U. S. Constitution should be
included.
