Sheriff’s office seeks to use drones in southwest Ohio

HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — A southwest Ohio sheriff’s office is working for certification to operate drones that can be used for evidence gathering and in searches.

The Hamilton-Middletown Journal-News reports that the Butler County Sheriff’s Office will apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for the certification required to operate drones.

Sheriff’s Lt. Randall Lambert says the certification process will take about six months. He says the $1,200 drone the office plans to use will be an important law-enforcement tool. Lambert says it has two cameras that can take still photos and video of crime scenes.

The FAA has estimated the sales of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, will soar from about 2.5 million this year to 7 million in 2020.