Drone Operator Training to Assist Police Operations
20 February 2023. A week-long Drone Operator Training commenced today, 20th February 2023 at the Tonga Police College, Longolongo, intended to upskill our police officers on ways to operate a drone that was acquired through the Illicit Drugs Response Fund (IDRF) to support police operations.
Commissioner of Police, Shane McLennan in his key remarks acknowledged the Government of Tonga and the Prime Minister, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku who is also the Minister of Police and the Chairman of the Illicit Drugs Steering Committee for their ongoing support to Tonga Police in providing necessary technical equipment to help improve police operational capabilities.
He added that Tonga Police is providential to have this equipment because it is from the latest technology of its kind.
Though procured through the IDRF, however, “this equipment will be useful for other police operations such as Search & Rescue, Traffic Control, and Public Order Management”.
“Therefore, I would like to urge the participants to take this training seriously as it will assist Tonga Police in many ways,” stressed Commissioner McLennan.
The training is conducted by Mr. Daniel Morton from Frentech Commercial Arial Company, NZ on:
- The care, basic maintenance, and setup of craft and payloads.
- Safety considerations during the planning and in flight.- How to effectively use software and sensor payloads to provide actionable intelligence/data.
- A combination of theory and practical sessions to develop and build operators’ knowledge and skill of operation.
Participants are expected to build their capabilities and add on new skills after this training to enhance themselves with the use of this equipment in the long run.
