WARSAW — Warsaw Police Department is taking its efforts to new heights. The department is one of the few agencies in the area to possess and operate a quadcopter — commonly referred to as a “drone.”

Shuter demonstrates the capabilities of the quadcopter outside of Warsaw Police Department.

According to Lt. Kip Shuter, the device allows officers the opportunity to survey crash scenes, assist in manhunts and scout potentially dangerous situations before sending officers in.

The quadcopter’s functions are truly impressive. The device is equipped with GPS tracking to allow officers to keep track of the distance traveled by the machine, as well as height traveled. Though the copter can fly up to 1,000 feet in the air, due to air traffic regulations, Shuter noted it would not reach heights higher than 450 feet.

Due to the GPS installed in the device, should the battery begin to run low while flying, or the device go out of reach of tracking, the copter will fly back manually to its launch position and land itself.

Currently, only Shuter is trained to operate the device at WPD. Training was recently provided to Shuter as well as the Department of Natural Resources and two officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department. Shuter noted he hopes to have other officers trained on the device, particularly in the SWAT division of the force.

An additional use for the copter is water rescue. Shuter explained divers can be tracked with the device from the air and, should weather be permitting, a victim may be able to be located from the HD camera equipped on the device.

Both photos and video are shot at a high resolution, with video playing back in 1080 HD. Shuter demonstrated the device’s camera for InkFreeNews. The video relays from the device to his phone, which is equipped within a controller for the copter. Shuter is able to manipulate the camera while in the air to swivel a full 180 degrees from front to back.

Shuter calibrates the machine for take off, allowing the GPS to be set for tracking the device.

Though one may worry wind would be a problem for such a small, light device, Shuter noted the GPS capability within the copter allows it to constantly adjust itself so it remains in the same spot. Similarly, should the controller need to step away from operating the device, the quadcopter will remain hovering in the same spot.

Although some may guess the new equipment was expensive for the department, Shuter noted the device was actually very affordable. He also explained that though privacy concerns are always noted with such devices, regulations will be followed to ensure civilian privacy is not disturbed. The copter will not video or photograph a residence without proper permissions granted first.