Miami-Dade PD to Deploy UAVs

The Miami-Dade Police Department is experimenting with using unmanned aerial vehicles for law enforcement operations.

Earlier attempts by other agencies to use unmanned drone aircraft have been shot down by the FAA. Miami-Dade and the Houston Police Department were recently granted permission to experiment with unmanned aerial vehicles.

"We are aware it is a great responsibility. The FAA is looking at us to see if we can professionally manage this program," Lt. Cliff Nelson told local media.

The Miami-Dade PD is testing Honeywell's Micro Air Vehicle (MAV). The drone has a ceiling of more than 10,000 feet. It will be operated only by licensed pilots in the department's aviation unit.

Miami-Dade officials said the UAV would be used primarily for surveillance on SWAT operations.

The department plans to use grant money to buy the MAV. UAVs can range in cost from a few thousand to several million dollars per drone.