Mandan Police Department set to utilize specialized drones

(Mandan, ND) -- The Mandan Police Department will be the first agency in North Dakota to get specialized drones.  

Marathon Petroleum awarded 35-thousand dollars to the department for the new technology.  The department has had two drones for the past three years, but officers are looking for some advancements.  The two new drones will have the same capabilities as the old ones, like cameras with thermal sensors, but these will also be able to communicate with people who come in contact with them.  They can also break windows and push open doors.  

The Mandan Police Department has four officers certified to fly the drones, with more being trained.