Police around the world are using drones to combat crimes. This article explores why and how the police (and criminals) use drones.
Modern Cyberpunk Technology
What once was cyberpunk sci-fi has now turned into reality. The cyberpunk high-tech low-life reality is showing itself in different ways, such as through rising economic inequalities, increased organized crimes, and organized crime using new technology like drones.
We are living in the early days of cyberpunk right now. We have state surveillance, cyberwars, the threat of AI, worldwide environmental endangerment, and many other issues.
Why the Police Need to Use Drones
High-tech systems and machines are constantly evolving. And the owners of the newest technology will always have an advantage.
That’s why all organizations that seek power and dominance need to keep up with emerging high-tech systems and machines. This means that both criminals and law enforcement will forever be grappling to own and dominate the newest technologies.
National police forces don’t have a choice about whether to use high-tech drones when criminals have already begun using them.
Organized crime is a true threat to national law enforcement, and below are some examples of how they’ve begun using drones for their businesses.
Real-Life Examples of Organized Crime Using Drones
Criminals Using Drones in Sweden to Evade the Police
In Sweden, the police are well aware that criminals have been using drones to spy on them in multiple cities, learning their driving routines so that they can carry out their criminal activities in secret (Radio Sweden Broadcast). The drones are waiting outside the police station in the mornings before the police dispatches and follow the cars around.
ISIS Dropping Bombs with Drones
There have also been multiple videos and reports of ISIS dropping bombs with drones, such as from Daily Telegraph Australia.
It’s not surprising that drones are being used to wage wars, and I think we can expect many more instances of that in the near future.
Drones for Drug Transportation in Tokyo
There have been rumors of local gangs in Tokyo transporting drugs using drones. However, it’s still a question, though, whether it’s a rumor or the truth.
However, I can definitely see it happening in the future. Especially as technology advances, such machines will become readily available to all who can afford them.
Using drones for illegal transportation protects the identities of sellers, as well as possibly those of buyers.
How Police Are Using Drones for Law Enforcement
What are some of the ways the police can counter these drones controlled by criminals? Below are some emerging technologies and tactics police around the world are exploring to combat the use of drones by criminals.
Japan, the Netherlands, & The Middle East
- In Tokyo, Japan, the police have explored using net-carrying drones to catch other drones mid-air (Telegraph UK).
- In the Netherlands, the police are training eagles to take down drones (BBC News).
- An Australian company has sold anti-drone weapons to Middle Eastern countries that need to fight drone attacks (Drastic News). This is especially because terrorists have used drones to carry explosives.
The Future of Drones and Law Enforcement
I believe we’ll see a future where drones and other robots will be used increasingly to carry out crimes (bombing, shooting, and transportation).
This would mean that law enforcement also needs to develop and use AI robots to combat that.
Some of the ways I see police drones being used in the future are:
- Surveillance
- Following criminals
- Transportation
- Bombing & Shooting
Read more
If you’re interested in reading more about cyberpunk and emerging technologies, you can check out these articles:
- Cyberpunk scenes in the Hong Kong 2019 protest
- 4 Futuristic Face Masks
- High-tech Artificial Intelligence Robots
Updated: 2020-11-30