Why the Jamaican Police need a Drone Developer and Design Competition to catch up with Criminals

“In discussion with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), they are still trying to develop policy and regulation that govern these unmanned aerial vehicles. They are still trying to develop the regulations to govern how these aircraft are used. We are now joining the wider community to use these aircraft for public safety and for law-enforcement activities”

Project manager at the ministry L. Garth Soares, Ministry of National Security explaining to the PAAC their stance on Drones for Police

The Jamaican Police are still waiting for their Drones to be used in Fighting Praedial Larceny.

Jamaican Police have quite a long wait indeed as the Ministry of National Security has yet to acquire drone for the Jamaican Police as noted in the article “Drone Technology For Police Use Delayed”, published Friday October 28, 2016 by Edmond Campbell, The Jamaica Gleaner. 

JA$55 million has been set aside by the Ministry of National Security, but to date no drones have been purchased and it might not happen this year either. Permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security Diane McIntosh made the declaration before the PAAC (Public Administration and Appropriations Committee) on Wednesday October 26^th 2016 that no drones will be ordered this year.

Instead, only JA$30 million will be spent to equip the Jamaicans Police with drones. Apparently this is to give the criminals chances a head start in using drones for everything from surveillance to even drug transhipment.

Already, based on sources of mine in Milk River, Clarendon, cocaine and marijuana traffickers are working on building a large drone that can be land and launched from short roadways used as runways and even moving vehicles.

This all seems odd to me, as already Private sector usage of Drones is on the rise. A good example is the use of drones by Hi-Pro designed by Agrocaelum to spray crops as detailed in my blog article entitled “Why Agrocaelum and Hi-Pro Herald for JCAA allowing Drone Racing in Jamaica”.

So what’s the holdup.

JCAA holding up Drone Developement - Drone Developer and Design Competition to help Police

The JCAA is the main holdup; JCAA (Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority) rules on drone usages are very strict as noted in my blog article entitled “JCAA Drones Regulations - Why GOJ Double-Standard suggest Commercial Drone Pilot Licenses are coming”. 

The need for cumbersome aerial permits that restrict usage to LOS (Line of Sight) means the GOJ hasn't fully embraced the use of Drones in Jamaica. So what can the GOJ do?

The Government to Jamaica can sponsor a Drone Developer and Design Competition with the remaining JA$20 million as argued in my blog article entitled “How JCAA and GOJ can foster Drone Design for Jamaican High Schools and Universities”. 

This will foster a love for Electronics, mechanical and Aviation Engineering in Jamaica, starting with high school and university students. It helps to spread the knowledge of drone design and maintenance among ordinary Jamaicans and encourage responsible usage of UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) in Jamaica.

Best of all, the Jamaican Police can benefit from the local Design and Developement of Drones to aid in their Praedial larceny fight as noted in my blog article entitled “Jamaican Drone Contractors Testing Drones in Pedro Cays – Why Ministry of Agriculture needs Drones to catch Poachers in the Act”.

Jamaican Police, time to step in the 21^st Century, as Drone Drug trans-shipment is already taking place in Clarendon!