NC Sheriffs Rely on Chinese DJI Drones Despite Security Concerns

A WBTV investigation has revealed that the vast majority of North Carolina sheriff’s offices rely on Chinese-made DJI drones for critical public safety operations, despite increasingly politicized national security concerns surrounding the company.

The survey found that DJI drones play a vital role in law enforcement activities, from locating missing persons to apprehending suspects, reports WBTV. However, with Congress considering legislation that could effectively ground these drones nationwide, local agencies may soon face a challenge in finding affordable alternatives.

DJI Drones: A Critical Tool for NC Sheriffs

Across North Carolina, DJI drones have become an indispensable tool for sheriff’s offices. In recent incidents, these drones have:

• Provided a livestream during a hours-long standoff in Mooresville
• Located a man running from deputies after a high-speed car chase in Edgecombe County
• Found a missing girl within 10 minutes in rural Iredell County

Sgt. Patrick Irwin, who started the drone program at the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office in 2018, emphasized the critical role these drones play in their operations

“We’re a very rural county,” Irwin explained. “We don’t check critical infrastructure, we don’t patrol our borders.”

Growing Security Concerns and Congressional Action

Despite the widespread use of DJI drones by law enforcement, security concerns surrounding the Chinese company have been escalating. In December, a bill was passed preventing federal agencies from purchasing these drones, and at least four states have imposed restrictions or bans on their use by local law enforcement.

Congress is now considering legislation that could block these drones from using the country’s communication infrastructure, effectively disabling their use nationwide. DJI has repeatedly denied allegations that their drones can be used for espionage, stating that they prioritize data privacy and put customers in control of their data’s use.

The Cost Barrier for American-Made Alternatives

While some NC sheriff’s offices acknowledge the legitimacy of the security concerns, many face a significant obstacle in replacing their DJI drones with American-made alternatives: cost.

Captain Wilson Muse of the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office noted, “I think they’re legitimate, coming from the federal government. These are security concerns…but the obstacle for everything in law enforcement is cost.”

American-made drones with comparable capabilities to DJI models are often significantly more expensive, making them cost-prohibitive for many agencies, particularly in lower-income rural counties. Some officials have suggested that financial assistance programs, similar to those used to help agencies acquire body cameras, could help offset the cost of transitioning to American-made drones.

The WBTV investigation has highlighted the critical role Chinese-made DJI drones play in North Carolina law enforcement, as well as the growing security concerns surrounding their use. As Congress considers legislation that could effectively ground these drones, local agencies are left grappling with the challenge of finding affordable, American-made alternatives.

Without financial assistance, many sheriff’s offices may struggle to maintain the level of public safety they’ve come to rely on these drones to provide.

Screenshots courtesy of WBTV.