TCSO now equipped with drone and licensed pilot

On March 9, 2023, Deputy Robbie Rich completed a 32-hour class at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, GA.

Deputy Rich works part time for Towns County Sheriff’s Office and is the Chief of Police at Young Harris College. He is a FAA Part 107 Licensed Remote Pilot, which is all the State of Georgia requires to operate a drone commercially. He has also passed the Division of Aviation North Carolina UAS Operator’s Knowledge Test and has obtained his permit to operate in North Carolina as well.

The training, Small Unmanned Aircraft Use for Public Safety, provided students with an understanding of the operational skills for using small, unmanned aircraft (sUAS) flight for public safety operations.

The operations covered were Missing Person Search and Rescue, Trouble Unknown/Missing Person Search and Rescue, Haz-Mat Incidents, Crime Scene/Traffic Accident Scene mapping, and Active Shooter Incidents.

This training gave the pilot the knowledge to evaluate, plan, set up, and execute flight operations.

The Towns County Sheriff’s Office drone is registered with the FAA.

Sheriff Ken Henderson is pleased Deputy Rich has completed his training and our drone is ready and fully operational at a moment’s notice.