The Lowell Police Department’s new drone in the air next to City Hall and the JFK Plaza. (Courtesy Lowell Police Department)

LOWELL — Acting Lowell Police Superintendent Barry Golner is pleased to share that the Lowell Police Department has added a Drone Unit consisting of two FAA-licensed remote pilots.

Detective Rob Richard, a 20 year veteran of law enforcement, and Detective Ed Davis IV, a nine year veteran of law enforcement, completed FAA training to operate the drone safely in the City of Lowell.

The drone will be operated by a team of two officers, with Richard or Davis always piloting the drone and another officer serving as a visual observer.

The primary purpose of the drone will be to assist with missing person searches. It is equipped with a camera that has a 100 times zoom, as well as infrared viewing capabilities which will enable police to search for heat sources even at night and in low-visibility conditions.

The drone will also be used to assist criminal investigations and emergency response, but always in accordance with the same rules and regulations that police officers must adhere to when conducting searches in person. The drone can only be used in accordance with established Massachusetts law regarding search and seizure, probable cause, and search warrants.

“We can’t use the drone to see anything that an officer could not legally see with their own eyes,” said Deputy Superintendent Mark LeBlanc. “Part of creating this unit was updating our policies and procedures to ensure we have a sound and legal foundation for drone operations.”

The drone can also be used to map crime scenes or accident scenes, and to hover over a predetermined area during community events such as the Lowell Folk Festival. 

The department purchased the drone — a DJI Matrice 300 — as well as eight battery packs that will enable it to continue flying almost indefinitely when needed.

“One of the most vital missions we have is to be the primary agency in charge when anyone goes missing in the City of Lowell, and this drone will significantly enhance our ability to conduct a search both rapidly and effectively,” said Acting Superintendent Golner. “This is a tool that will greatly enhance our ability to find missing people, and we are pleased to be able to deploy it.”

Lowell Police Detective Rob Richard, who has been trained to operate the drone, stands next to the device. (Courtesy Lowell Police Department)
An infrared view of police in JFK Plaza, as seen in the drone’s viewing screen. (Courtesy Lowell Police Department)
Lowell Police Detective Rob Richard operates the drone in JFK Plaza. (Courtesy Lowell Police Department)
A close up of the drone and the high-powered camera that is part of it. (Courtesy Lowell Police Department)
The Lowell Police Department drone hovers near the Officer Christos G. Rouses Memorial in JFK Plaza. (Courtesy Lowell Police Department)