EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Police K-9s and their handlers are joining police drone pilots in a collaboration that takes their ability to do their jobs a literal level up.
East Hartford Police Officer Todd Mona, a noted K-9 trainer and veteran of the force, is leading the training – Mona is orchestrating the officers, the dogs, and the drone teams to work together.
“We all know when it comes to somebody being injured, dementia patients, whatever it might be, time is of the essence.” Mona said, “So if the drone can pick them up based on our direction and save time, we can potentially save a life.”
There were some 15 agencies from across Connecticut and as far away as New Hampshire who were on hand during a cool spring night covering about four city blocks for their drills in East Hartford.
K-9 and drone teams worked on missing person scenarios, with dogs following the scent on the street and using the drone's eye in the sky.
Ridgefield Police Officer Michael McKnight was alongside his partner, K9 “Odin” as they picked up a track. The drone team stayed a step ahead, using thermal imaging to help find their subject.
"Especially in Ridgefield since we have a lot of woods and hiking trails, having a drone is just an extra set of eyes that we can have," McKnight said.
Officer Mona, a 22-year veteran of the East Hartford Police Department, added that the work he and the teams are collaborating on between the K-9s, the officers, and the drone teams is the next chapter in law enforcement.
“This is the future, and everybody comes together to make it work to help save somebody,” Mona said.
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