A specialised team of five EU drone experts from the European Gendarmerie Force arrived in Benin in March to train the Republican Police on the use of drones to support police work. The training curriculum includes piloting, imaging, operational flight planning and maintenance.

The objective of the training is to enhance the operational capabilities of the police through a more efficient use of these new tools for surveillance.

European Union

The need for more effective use of drone technology was underlined by many participants , including Senior police Brigadier Agbègnon:

In my unit of the Republican Police in Benin, we already use drones for our operations, but this training broadened my understanding of their tactical handling. For example, flight planning while taking into account natural and urban obstacles, as well as specific conditions such as night flights. These elements are essential for optimizing our missions and avoiding unexpected issues in the field. Thanks to the European instructors, we were able to deepen our understanding of these topics with clear methods and concrete feedback based on experience.

This training also allowed us to explore in detail the capabilities of drones and the different options they offer based on operational needs. We learned how to use them effectively for observation (and surveillance) missions in complex contexts, as well as for discreet tracking and reconnaissance. The level of precision we can achieve with these tools is impressive, and I am convinced that their use should be better integrated into our policing strategy. The future purchase of equipment (drones, batteries, accessories) will enable us to meet the needs ofupcoming missions.

For first class officer Benoît this was an opportunity to discover a new tool for his police work :

Before this training, I had never piloted a drone, and I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the possibilities offered by this tool. In a short time, I learned how to manoeuvre a drone and understand its potential for police missions. We saw how it can be used to cover extensive crime scenes, conduct reconnaissance in unfamiliar terrain, and efficiently monitor large public events.