Fruitland Police Launch Drone Unit

Image Courtesy of Fruitland Police Department

FRUITLAND, Md. – A police department in Wicomico County is modernizing their service by keeping their feet on the ground while keeping their eyes in the sky.

The Fruitland Police Department recently announced they would be introducing drones to their arsenal of investigation tools after five Fruitland officers completed drone training funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Police tell WMDT that this technology is not standard across every police department and that utilizing these devices can improve the agency’s ability to operate during investigations, particularly in searches for missing people.

“These are going to be critical in keeping the community safe in doing any sort of policing in the modern age,” said Detective Corporal Johnathan Martin-Rollins, head of the Drone Unit. “We can go up in the air and we can see what it would take 40 or 50 police officers to do in a comb just by, you know, one flight.”

The drones are also expected to assist firefighters during emergencies, support investigations in hard to reach areas, enhance public safety, and assist with local infrastructure assessments. But more importantly, the department says the technology helps protect lives while continuing to find cost-effective ways to serve the community.

However, FPD knows they would be remiss if they didn’t address concerns about drones relating to privacy. The department says they remain committed to using this technology responsibly and transparently.

FPD plans to hold an official demonstration of the drone during the department’s National Night Out on Aug. 4.