Drone unit takes policing into future

From CI support to tactical raids and search and rescue, aerial unmanned vehicles are now an indispensable part of the job, writes Wassayos Ngamkham

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The police force is taking a decisive leap into the future of law enforcement with the launch of its first dedicated drone unit. Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, commander of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), unveiled CIB’s new aerial team to boost surveillance, tactical operations and officer safety.

In an interview with the Bangkok Post, he said the unit will be formally launched tomorrow on the rooftop training ground of CIB headquarters in Bangkok. The event will also mark one of Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop’s final initiatives as CIB commissioner before he assumes his new role as Assistant National Police Chief.

He said policing must evolve to meet the growing complexity of modern challenges. “Today, we face threats from transnational crime, terrorism, traffic issues, disasters and emergencies. Relying solely on conventional methods is no longer enough to keep society safe,’ he said. “Technology is vital if we are to stay ahead of criminals and protect the public.”

TECHNOLOGY AT THE CORE

At the heart of this initiative is the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) into daily policing. Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop described them as “indispensable tools” for 21st-century law enforcement.

“A dedicated drone unit is no longer an option but a necessity,” he said. “Drones provide speed, accuracy, safety and transparency in operations, allowing officers to respond effectively without unnecessary risks.”