WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – Technology is becoming increasingly integral to daily life, and its impact extends to law enforcement as well.
The Wausau Police Department recently demonstrated the significant role of modern technology in solving crimes and enhancing public safety.
Earlier this month, the department successfully apprehended suspects using advanced technology, including heat sensors and drones.
“It just revolutionizes everything,” Cmdr. Ryan Hillman, a drone team member with the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, said. “It pretty much changes the way that we investigate, document scenes, or search for people.”
Cmdr. Hillman, who has been with the department for nearly 20 years, noted that technological advancements have happened quickly within the law enforcement sphere.
“Ten years ago, we didn’t even have any of this technology at all,” Cmdr. Hillman said. “The technology gets better and better, and the cost stays about the same.”
In a recent case, Wausau police officers initially lost sight of a reckless driver but successfully tracked the suspects using a drone equipped with night vision.
“We saw them, not because there were officers on the path, but because there was the drone that was able to fly over the water,” Officer Eric Lemirand of the Wausau Police Department said.
This kind of technology can be very versatile in policing.
“We can basically fly anywhere. We can go places that humans can’t go and get a bird’s eye view, or we can go into tight spaces and see what’s in there,” Cmdr. Hillman said.
The technology’s utility extends beyond tracking suspects. It plays a crucial role in various scenarios.
“We are called out with every SWAT call. We’ve had 15 to 20 search-and-rescues per year,” Cmdr. Hillman said.
Officer Lemirand also highlighted the effectiveness of technology in managing emergencies, such as structure fires.
“The infrared camera can see heat, so we’ve been able to identify hot spots on roofs that the fire department can’t see,” Lemirand said. “It’s so good (and) it’s something that we’re fortunate to have here.”
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