MOREE Police Inspector Dwayne De Vries said the installation of the PolAir-Remote drone trial – officially launched in Moree on Thursday – has improve staff morale and increased efficiency.

Insp De Vries said the drones have contributed to improved situational awareness for responding officers as well as enhanced safety for police and the community.

“Throughout the early testing period, the capability assisted with a range of incidents including break-and-enters, fires, anti-social behaviour and reports of trail‑bike activity,” Insp De Vries said.

“The PolAir-Remote launch has made an impact on staff morale, who are excited by the innovative technology, and the drones have proven to be a valuable operational asset.

“It gives our officers real‑time information, allowing us to make safer and more informed decisions when responding to incidents.

“It also supports our teams in day‑to‑day jobs that can otherwise be resource‑intensive, and we’ve seen some benefits in terms of efficiency.

“We look forward to the upcoming six‑month trial period and the positive results expected to be achieved for the community,” he said.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon was in Moree on Thursday with Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley to launch the trial.

He said the program is about “sensible policing”.

“It is about looking at what a community needs, and about what capacity our police officers need to respond to crime,” Mr Lanyon said.

NSW Police Superintendent Chris Nicholson (left) with Moree Police Inspector Dwayne De Vries on the Moree Police Station rooftop with one of the drones used in the PolAir-Remote trial (Image: Bill Poulos).

“Remotely-piloted aircraft technology has been around for a long time, and this program is about making good use of that technology.

“The NSW Police is committed to keeping our communities safe. We not only want them to be safe, but we want them to feel safe.

“NSW Police will bring capacity as well as capability out to regional areas to support communities.

“This trial will demonstrate, I am sure, that we can assist to reduce crime in regional areas,” he said.

Mr Lanyon praised Moree Police officers, led by Inspectors Dwayne De Vries and Shane Robinson.

“We have a fantastic group of officers in Moree – they do a brilliant job,” Mr Lanyon said.

“These drones are about making sure they have the best information to make decisions, and have the best information to either prevent, disrupt, or certainly respond to crime.

“If someone commits a serious offence, I think most community members would expect the police to have the best information possible, and the best resources, to make sure they can make an early arrest.

“The police do a brilliant job each and every day, and this is about making sure they can do better, and about making sure the community feels safe,” he said.

Mr Lanyon said all footage recorded by drones will be permissible evidence in court.

“What we do with remotely-piloted aircraft is entirely consistent with what we do with manned aircraft,” he said.

“If we were to be monitoring a situation where a crime has been committed and the police make an arrest, that footage will be available exactly the same way it is if we were flying a helicopter or an aircraft.

“There are strict evidentiary processes we follow, so we’ll be saving that evidence when it relates to a crime – absolutely, it’s available for use in court.”

In January, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland and Superintendent Chris Nicholson from NSW Police Aviation Command, briefed Moree Plains Shire mayor Susannah Pearse, Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan and community stakeholders at a special meeting in Moree.

Superintendent Nicholson said at the meeting, two drones will be housed on the roof of Moree Police Station, but operated remotely.

“The drones are in self-contained, weatherproof self-charging ports – effectively, a one-stop home,” Supt Nicholson said.

“They will not be flown from here in Moree; they will be flown by my team back at Bankstown Airport.

“This is the team that already sits on our helicopters and aeroplanes every day of the week. They’re known as tactical flight officers and will have additional duties, where they’ll sit in front of a computer and launch the drones to be flown in Moree.

“Also, for the first time, we’ll be able to stream footage live to police and crews on the ground who are responding to incidents,” he said.