HERSHEY, Pa. — The greatest in regulation enforcement know-how was on full show on the Pennsylvania State Police Headquarters on Thursday.

Pilots with the Pennsylvania State Police demonstrated its ‘Forward Looking Infrared,’ or ‘FLIR,’ know-how on its helicopters. The know-how is one other instrument State Troopers can make the most of in search and rescue operations.

“Once a picture pops up on that digicam, we all know precisely what we’re ,” said Sgt. Brian Kuhns when describing how the technology works. “What could end up being a two-day search can end up being a half-day search, because the aircraft shows up with this technology, we scan the area, and bring it to a swift conclusion.”

The FLIR technology acts as a second set of eyes for pilots in the sky, by tracking the heat signatures given off by an object. That technology played a crucial role in coordinating ground efforts in the search for escaped fugitive, Danelo Cavalcante.

“To have ground troopers or units go through those areas, it would’ve taken a very long time,” mentioned Corporal James Erme, who noticed Cavalcante with the FLIR know-how the evening earlier than he was arrested. “We have been in a position to assist them and lower that workload down for them.”

For troopers on the bottom, the know-how acts as a life-saving instrument for each them and the folks they attempt to discover.

“You’re searching for someone in the dark, who is potentially armed, dangerous, and desperate,” said Lieutenant Adam Reed, a spokesperson with the Pennsylvania State Police. “It’s really great to know that the pilots are an eye in the sky, and they can guide you towards the heat signature they’re seeing, or let you know what they’re seeing from that high in the sky.”

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