Drone Technology and Dashboard Cameras Launched for Carnival 2019

New technological tools were today launched and put into service by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TIPS) to assist with policing strategies in maintain safety and security during the Carnival 2019 period.

Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith oversaw the launch of two classes of drone technology by the TTPS’s Air Support Unit, under the supervision of Sgt. Ronnie Rampallard, on Saturday 2nd March, 2019, at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain.

The Silent Falcon Unmanned Aircraft System or fixed wing drone, which are high altitude drones with very strong camera capability and very high optical zoom capability, will greatly enable officers to provide safety and security during Carnival festivities, as well as traffic and crowd management. The drone will be used for monitoring Carnival bands along the parade routes, police deployment and traffic in real time. It will also be deployed at various locations across the country, providing a live downlink to both the National Operations Centre and the Operational Command Centre, so that security officials can make informed decisions about situations taking place on the ground.

The second class of drone, the tethered drone will be deployed to provide non-stop coverage of Port of Spain during the entire Carnival period.

The dashboard cameras for Emergency Response Patrol vehicles were also launched today. They will also enable the Operations Centre to be aware in real time, of the situations in which police officers are involved and provide the appropriate response and assistance.
Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith said the TTPS will work toward ensuring that Carnival 2019 is the safest ever in Trinidad and Tobago.