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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2025
CONTACT
Christopher Thoresen, Bureau Chief
Communications Bureau
communications@njohsp.gov
609-584-4392
NJOHSP Launches UAS Training Program for Law Enforcement Personnel in New Jersey
 HAMILTON, NJ – The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) launched the first of its 21 planned Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Training programs for law enforcement personnel on Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office facility in Freehold, New Jersey. Courses will be held in each of the state’s 21 counties and are intended to provide information regarding UAS to assist first responders with preventing, preparing for, protecting against, and responding to public safety incidents involving drones.
The training program was coordinated through the New Jersey Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force (DSPTF) UAS Subcommittee in collaboration with the New Jersey State Police and numerous federal, State, and local partners. In 2017, the subcommittee was established as a component of the task force and, as a result, when New Jersey saw an increase in suspicious UAS/drone activity in late November 2024, the DSPTF was already familiar with the subject matter and was prepared to support the State’s response efforts.
The 2024 achievements of the UAS Subcommittee stemmed from years of effort by the DSPTF to address UAS challenges and enhance their use in public safety. The DSPTF ratified the State UAS Defense Strategy in September 2020, with a plan to form a UAS Task Force and improve coordination between the government and private sector. In 2023, NJOHSP created a UAS Dashboard to serve as a resource for residents as well as the public and private sectors. Additionally, in 2023, the DSPTF approved Homeland Security Grant Program funding to provide UAS training to law enforcement in New Jersey. This foresight ensured that in-person training for law enforcement was available as the 2024 suspicious UAS activity unfolded.
“NJOHSP began developing this training program last year as a proactive measure to help ensure the safety of our state and its residents,” said NJOHSP Director Laurie R. Doran. “While drones may offer numerous benefits, they also present challenges in the areas of national and state security as well as counterterrorism and counterintelligence efforts. Threat actors can sometimes use unmanned aircraft for illegal activities, which is why we are focusing on understanding and managing their impact, especially at large public events and around critical infrastructure. As the number of drones in civilian airspace continues to rise, we aim to address potential risks and to help ensure public safety in New Jersey.”
The “UAS Training for Law Enforcement: Enhancing Public Safety” course is designed to equip law enforcement with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively respond to critical incidents involving drones. These incidents may include situations where drones are used for nefarious activities that could impact public safety and soft targets, mass gatherings, and critical functions.
“The rapid growth of drone technology has revolutionized industries and transformed how we approach public safety. However, it has also introduced new threats that law enforcement must address. The ‘UAS Training for Law Enforcement: Enhancing Public Safety’ course underscores the importance of equipping our officers with the knowledge and tools to detect, track, and mitigate unauthorized or malicious drone activity,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “We utilize the most up-to-date information and cutting-edge technology in our training, enabling us to maximize the benefits and address the potential dangers of unmanned aircraft systems. This proactive approach is vital to protecting our communities and staying ahead of emerging threats.”
The training covers UAS capabilities, types of operators, regulations, laws, impacts of weather, regulatory and non-regulatory airspace, and guidance for appropriate law enforcement response and authority. The courses are available to all sworn federal, State, and local law enforcement officers in New Jersey, and provides an opportunity for all agencies to enhance their ability to protect their communities against drone-related threats.
“Police agencies at every level of government need to be well-informed, which is why we were so eager and proud to host this training by our partners with NJOHSP,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. “We firmly believe that every attendee, both last week and in future sessions, will return to their jurisdictions with a better understanding of identifying UAS aircraft, appreciating their capabilities, intentional in developing procedures on how to handle a UAS operator, and motivated to create UAS programs to augment public safety by law enforcement.”
NJOHSP is delivering its second course today to law enforcement personnel in Somerset County.
For more information and UAS resources, visit NJOHSP’s UAS Dashboard.
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Communications Bureau
New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness
communications@njohsp.gov
609-584-4392
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