A senior police officer is facing a misconduct investigation after a force drone crashed and injured a child during an operational search for an assault suspect.
Incident Details and Emergency Response
The incident occurred on Saturday 2 August just after 4pm on the Isle of Sheppey. Kent Police officers had been dispatched following reports of an assault in progress.
As part of the urgent search for the suspect, the police deployed a DJI M30T drone, a professional model weighing approximately 4kg (9lb). During the flight operation, the drone struck an overhead cable and fell to the ground, directly hitting a child.
The child sustained hand injuries from the impact and required treatment at a London hospital. Neither Kent Police nor the IOPC has disclosed the child's age due to the ongoing investigation.
Official Investigations Launched
Kent Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has confirmed it is conducting an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In an official statement, the IOPC revealed: "As part of the ongoing investigation we have served a misconduct notice on a special inspector." They emphasised that "the serving of a notice does not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will follow."
Separately, the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) is conducting a safety investigation into the crash. The details of the incident were uncovered by drone commentator and analyst Ian Hudson, who spent months submitting Freedom of Information requests to Kent Police to obtain information about what had occurred.
Broader Context of Police Drone Use
This incident raises important questions about the expanding use of drone technology in UK policing. According to the National Police Chiefs' Council, a review in early 2023 found that UK police forces are currently operating nearly 400 drones nationwide.
The investigation continues as authorities examine both the specific circumstances of this incident and the broader safety protocols governing police drone operations in populated areas.
