Curious, I know it’s becoming larger, or maybe I’m wrong, but I’ve had years of drone experience, wondering if that would possible help my chances of getting in, or even getting my part 107 license, would these be something even taken into consideration? Honestly just trying to find ways to look as good as I can. Thank you
Drone operators
r/AskLE
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That is an ancillary duty. Nobody will care in the hiring process. You’ll need to get hired on like everyone else.
You’ll need a 107 license before you’d be able to do that for compensation. Getting that ahead of time would look better.
Our drone program at Kansas City, MO, started around 2015, I think. It started with one captain who was a hobbyist and collected 2 people from the video evidence unit and 2 people from a unit that deployed cameras for various events. We were actually in separate units but worked together on many group video related projects. All 4 had never flown drones.
Agency agreed it was worth investing in and bought a few drones. Captain worked with FAA and got the program started. We got FAA exceptions to the 107 rule once it came out, as well as other mission exceptions. None of us had 107. We flew hundreds of missions with various drones while I was there, and it kept expanding. Nobody was a full-time drone pilot. All sworn officers scattered all over the department. A few had 197’s later, but not all.
I have since retired, and the other original crew retired within a few years of that.
Not all agencies will have a drone program.
Not all agencies will have a specific unit.
Not all will require an employee have a 107.
Most likely, nobody will hire you specifically to be a drone pilot as a sworn emoloyee. You will go through an academy, spend time on break-in, spend time on probation, and wait to meet whatever requirements a department has.
Some agencies have civilian drone operators too so could look into that.
I got my 107 after I got hired before I even got in the academy and It just made me seem like a stand out recruit. It’s definitely not needed before you get hired and wouldn’t help at all.
Both will absolutely help.