Police drones can be identified by the green and red lights being flown by detectives to assist in very dangerous suspect situations like this standoff in the Billings Heights.
VIDEO: Green and red flashing lights on the BPD drone indicate officers are gathering evidence and important crime-fighting information. A woman kept law enforcement on a 14-hour standoff and the drone use proved imperative using infrared sensors to see suspect inside the home.

Multiple law enforcement agencies surrounded the home of a woman, later identified as 57-year-old Mary White Crane, after she allegedly shot a Billings police officer who approached her home trying to deliver a cell phone to her for communication.

Hundreds of law enforcement agencies were on the ground but only the drones could safely take to the sky to gather critical information from an Ariel view. Some of the drones are equipped with infrared heat sensors making it possible for officers to locate the whereabouts of a suspect that is not visible from the ground.

The BPD air drone team works very well together. They’re trained in teams to watch for anything on the ground or in the air that can quickly be identified; this greatly improves Officer and public safety.
Lt. Shane Shelden said the officers are working on getting their official FAA licenses and it takes dedication and discipline to learn drone skills and safety.
Drone team officers using high-tech VR goggles to fly the drones.
Police drones have excellent cameras and video capabilities.

Join us Tuesday for part three of “Air S.W.A.T. BPD” for specifics on what type of drone the BPD chose and the future of the drone program.