Hamilton County, TN - In an ongoing effort to utilize technology to be more efficient with taxpayer money, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has taken steps to create and integrate an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into our agency operations.

UAS have the capability to gather and record information much more efficiently and thoroughly than any person. The ultimate goal is to use the small UAS for critical life-saving efforts, such as locating missing persons and monitoring incidents where a hazardous condition exists. The UAS can also be used to take aerial photos of crime scenes, fire scenes, and traffic accidents, providing a perspective that could be invaluable to investigators.

The UAS System will be officially unveiled on Monday, October 3, 2016 at 10:30 am at the Hamilton County River Park

(Map Below)

“This new aerial technology will allow the HCSO to better serve our community in times of emergency and will help ensure that our local law enforcement and emergency personnel are better protected when entering situations that may be dangerous or life threatening,”

stated Sheriff Jim Hammond.

The use of UAS in Law enforcement is a growing trend nationwide. More than 80 law enforcement agencies, colleges and other government agencies across the nation have been granted or applied for permits to fly UAS, according to FAA records.

The HCSO began the process for FAA qualification in December of 2014. Since then, hundreds of hours of training and flight time (over 160 training missions) have been spent to obtain an FAA Certificate of Waiver (COA).

All members of the media are encouraged to attend. Officials will be on hand for comments and questions and the unmanned flight vehicles will be on display. Flight demonstrations will be conducted for the media shortly after the

conclusion of the press conference.

Media representatives are encouraged to bring two cameras, one to cover the actual demonstration(s) and one to cover the live feed connected to the HCSO Mobile Command Unit.

No further information is available at this time.