Calviá premieres a police drone unit to reinforce security this summer

PalmCalvià Local Police presented this Friday the new Drone Unit, a service that will come into operation coinciding with the start of the high season and which has involved an investment of 82,000 euros in technological equipment and training. The device was unveiled at the Son Bugadelles barracks and, according to the council, will strengthen surveillance, citizen security, and emergency response in the municipality.

The operation will function under the regulations of the State Air Security Agency (AESA) and data protection legislation, with specific protocols to guarantee "the balance between public safety and the privacy of citizens". The mayor of Calvià, Juan Antonio Amengual, assured during the presentation that the municipality "must be at the forefront of security, responsible leisure, and reaction capacity". Amengual highlighted that the incorporation of the unit is part of the municipal government's commitment to equipping the Local Police with "the best technical and human teams".

The project has received a contribution of 60,000 euros from the Consell de Mallorca through the Works and Services Plan (POS) 2024-2025. The event was also attended by the Minister of Economic Promotion and Local Development, Pilar Amate, and the insular director of Emergencies, Joan Fornàs. Amate defended that the incorporation of drones "will enhance the effectiveness" of police actions and emphasized that the Council's investments "translate into projects that improve the daily lives of Majorcans".

For their part, the deputy mayor and head of Citizen Security, Esperanza Catalá, stated that the new unit represents "a decisive step towards a more efficient and modern security model", especially in a municipality with the geographical and demographic complexity of Calvià. The unit is currently made up of a sub-inspector, an officer, three police officers, and three more officers in training, all with specific certification as pilots and radio operators. In addition, it has a command center installed in a 4x4 vehicle and several drones adapted to different functions.

Among the equipment, a main drone stands out, equipped with a high-resolution thermal camera, night vision, laser telemetry, and the ability to identify people at more than a kilometer's distance. It can also recognize vehicles and vessels in real-time and autonomously track targets. According to the city council, the device can take off in just fifteen seconds and operate up to a distance of 25 kilometers. The police will also have light drones, weighing less than 250 grams, designed to operate in urban or natural environments, especially in search and rescue operations.

The main lines of action will include traffic control and large events, surveillance of nightlife areas, detection of infractions, and support in traffic accidents. The devices will also be used in search operations for missing persons, coastal surveillance, fire and flood prevention, and environmental or urban planning inspections. As reported by the City Council, the drones will allow for aerial imagery for police reports and the supervision of hard-to-access areas to detect illegal dumping or potential environmental violations.