The Columbia Police Department is happy to welcome a new piece of equipment to the department, a DJI Avata 2 drone. This drone was anonymously donated by a supporter of the local community and law enforcement. The drone is the same make and model that is used by various other law enforcement agencies across the state, including Kentucky State Police. The Avata 2 has a battery life of 25 minutes per battery, a range of 7 miles, and a maximum altitude of 500 meters, making it fully able to cover the entire City of Columbia under good weather conditions. The drone also came with DJI goggles and a joystick remote.  

Chief Evan Burton and another officer will be licensed in the operation of the drone, which will allow them to use it in various ways to keep the community safe. Specifically, those uses will include Traffic Accident Investigations, Attempted Recovery of Missing Persons, Barricade situations, Crowd Patrolling at large events, and other scenarios with surveillance and patrol. All of these uses will help keep Columbia Police Department officers safe, and better equip them to serve and protect the community.