Modern possibilities of using unmanned aerial vehicles by Police authorities and units: Analysis of foreign and Ukrainian experience

Abstract

The relevance of the research subject is conditioned upon the scientific originality and practical significance of using modern capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles by police authorities and units. The relevance of the research issue is that the provisions of the current legislation defining the legal basis for using unmanned aerial vehicles by police authorities and units are mostly formally defined. Based on this, and considering that the law enforcement system has encountered new challenges which constantly require the introduction of the latest methods and means of countering crime, including using modern achievements of digital, technological, scientific and technical progress, the purpose of this research is to analyse the foreign experience of using unmanned aerial systems by law enforcement agencies, and based on this, to develop proposals for improving the current legislation in the part concerning using UAVs. The research methodology includes a combination of general scientific and special methods that allow for defining assumptions and drawing conclusions. The research examines the relevant issues of the day concerning using the technical capabilities of unmanned aerial systems in the course of performing the tasks assigned to police agencies and units. In particular, the author examines the international experience of some technologically advanced countries (the USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, China and Israel) in using modern capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles by law enforcement agencies. Attention is devoted to the development of the aviation industry of Ukraine in terms of the design of Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, and the prospects for their implementation in the activities of the National Police. The author outlines the main prospects for using unmanned aerial vehicles in the activities of police agencies and units. In particular, those related to the protection of public order, road safety, detection, suppression and counteraction to criminal and administrative offences, and protection and defence of human rights and freedoms, life and health. The scientific originality and practical significance of the research are that it highlights the current possibilities of using unmanned aerial vehicles by police authorities and units, outlines some issues of a working nature which require resolution, and, based on international experience, identifies the areas for improvement of the current legislation on using unmanned aerial vehicles by the National Police