Police were on the scene in Sawyers Valley on Thursday morning after a car ploughed into a dam overnight. The police drone analyses the scene from above.
Western Australia (WA) Police have reaffirmed the safety of their drone technology following reports linking the supplier to a company with connections to China. The agency emphasizes that its systems undergo “rigorous security and penetration testing” and that no operational data is shared with third parties.
The issue surfaced when The Sunday Times reported that Pioneer Computers was awarded a contract in April 2023 by the WA Government. This contract entails supplying a “drone in a box” to the police force for a period of three years, with an option to extend for another two years. While the value of the contract remains undisclosed, Pioneer promotes its drone technology as featuring “advanced artificial intelligence, thermal imaging, and real-time communication abilities.”
Police Response and Operational Use
In light of these revelations, a spokesperson for WA Police stated that the agency is committed to transparent procurement processes that adhere to government standards. “To maintain system integrity, WA Police undertakes rigorous security and penetration testing as part of its risk assessment processes,” the spokesperson said. “All operational data, including drone footage, is securely stored within WA Police systems and is not shared with or managed by third parties.”
The spokesperson also highlighted that drone technology is utilized across various operational areas within the agency. “This capability is a fundamental tool to assist frontline officers when responding to serious crime and serves as a critical asset to keep our community safe,” they added. The rapid deployment of remotely piloted drones enables the State Operations Command Centre to assess crime in real time, allowing for swift resource allocation.
Premier Roger Cook echoed these sentiments, stating that the drones are currently in a trial phase to evaluate their operational effectiveness. “Any procurement undertaken by police, particularly involving data, is taken very, very carefully and seriously,” he noted. He reassured the public that any data generated from these operations is retained by the police, not by third parties, and emphasized that all factors would be considered if the use of drones expands further.
Concerns Over Security and Supplier Background
Despite these assurances, concerns have been raised regarding the involvement of Pioneer Computers. Former Defence official Michael Shoebridge commented on the growing caution surrounding Chinese-made surveillance technologies. He pointed out that governments have been advised to phase out such equipment due to data security concerns. “Given how much public knowledge there is about these security issues with Chinese drones and surveillance technology, it’s surprising that Australian officials’ behaviour is not changing,” Shoebridge remarked.
Pioneer Computers, listed as an endorsed supplier for the Australian Government, has a customer base that includes the Department of Defence and the New South Wales Police Force. The company operates a subsidiary in China and is a member of the Australia China Business Council. However, when approached for clarity on the origin of their surveillance technology, a spokesperson for Pioneer stated, “the WA Police Drone in the Box tender is for a third-party product.” They clarified that the contract is awarded to multiple suppliers who provide the same product.
This ongoing situation highlights the complexities surrounding technology procurement in law enforcement, particularly when geopolitical factors come into play. As WA Police continues to trial drone technology, the balance between operational capability and data security remains a critical concern for both officials and the public.
