Bespoke RPAS Training for Abu Dhabi Police Delivered in Dubai

This month, our instructors have returned to Dubai to deliver a bespoke, two-week Emergency Services RPAS programme for members of the Abu Dhabi Police Force. The course is designed and delivered to introduce the Police Force to the tactical and procedural aspects of RPAS operations, and to demonstrate how these methods can be adapted to real-world policing scenarios across the UAE.  

Although the course was tailored specifically for Abu Dhabi Police, the training took place in Dubai, which is important as each of the UAE’s seven emirates operates its own police force and follows its own RPAS regulations. These variations create operational complexities which the course directly addresses. 

The course is delivered in partnership with FEDS, the leading drone solutions provider in the Middle East. FEDS has played an integral role in shaping the region’s approach to drone regulation, services, and training, making them the ideal partner for delivering the foundational phase of this course.  

Course Overview 

This bespoke two-week course was created to strengthen the Abu Dhabi Police’s ability to deploy RPAS across a range of policing tasks, from crime scene documentation to surveillance, search operations, and specialist indoor deployment.  

Week 1: Foundation Training (delivered by FEDS) 

The first week focused on core RPAS competency. FEDS instructors provided essential training on the systems and aircraft used throughout the course. Key modules included:  

• Basic RPAS Handling & Operation – foundational flight skills, aircraft setup, safety protocols, and airspace awareness.
• RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) Systems – training in centimetre-level positioning workflows essential for mapping and accuracy-critical operations.
• DJI FlightHub 2 – mission planning, live operations management, and fleet coordination tools.  
• DJI Terra – learning how to process captured data to generate accurate 2D and 3D mapping products for operational use. 

This first phase ensured every participant had a strong technical foundation before progressing to advanced tactical work.  

Week 2: Operational & Tactical Training (delivered by EEI Instructors) 

The second week focused on real-world deployment. Delivered by EEI instructors, with extensive military and policing backgrounds, this portion emphasised operational strategy, tactical applications, and scenario-based exercises. Key operational modules included: 

• Compound & Building Search Training (DJI Avata 2) –  Indoor search techniques using the Avata 2 First Person View (FPV) platform, ideal for confined spaces and interior navigation. Exercises included structure entry, room-to-room clearance, and hazard detection. 
• Thermal Search Operations (Matrice 4TD) – Students used advanced thermal imaging to conduct structure search patterns, with automated routes uploaded via FlightHub 2 so pilots could focus on sensor interpretation.  
• Crime Scene Mapping & RTK Mission Planning (M4TD + DJI Terra) – Students planned and executed RTK mapping missions to capture high-accuracy imagery. They then processed the data in DJI Terra to produce detailed 2D/3D crime scene outputs prior to personnel entry.  
• Surveillance & Area Monitoring (M30T) – Wide-area monitoring techniques including dropping live geolocation pins, switching viewpoints, and managing multi-access-point surveillance, mirroring procedures used by UK Police.  

Who was the course designed for? 

While this programme was tailored for the Abu Dhabi Police, the structure is adaptable for any police force or emergency service worldwide seeking to integrate RPAS into their operations. Training can be customised to focus on a wide variety of employments, including surveillance, search and rescue, mapping, public safety operations, or specialist tactical deployment.  

Key Outcomes 

By the end of the two-week course, students achieved:  

• Hands-on exposure to Police RPAS tactics and best practices 
• Enhanced operational capability across multiple RPAS platforms 
• Advanced skills in surveillance, search, and crime scene documentation 
• Improved confidence in planning and executing structured missions 
• A clearer understanding of how to implement RPAS effectively in daily policing scenarios

Final Thoughts 

As drone technology continues to evolve, so does its importance within modern policing. This bespoke training programme provided the Abu Dhabi Police officers with the tactical skills, operational awareness, and platform confidence needed to deploy RPAS safely and effectively across a range of environments.  

Our collaboration with FEDS Drone Academy strengthened every stage of the programme. Their regional expertise, regulatory knowledge, and operational experience ensured the training remained both internationally informed and locally relevant.