Civilians Use Military Grade Robokopter to Spy on Police During Polands Independence Day Riots

View from Robokopter of the riots.

Earlier this month, police and rioters clashed on Poland’s Independence Day, resulting in more than 200 arrests. A spokesperson for the prosecutors, Monika Lewandowska, said it was the worst street violence Poland has seen in years, according to the Warsaw Business Journal.

During the riots, bird’s eye view footage was taken from a drone helicopters sent up by civilians, presumably to spy on police. “Robokpoter,” as it’s called, has applications for authorities as well as scientists and civilians, according to the manufacturer’s website.  This unmanned aerial vehicle has capability to not only film or take pictures but it also has “far reach” modem capability to allow it to transmit all information in near real time.

See more about Robokopter (Note: It’s in Polish but you get a good close-up of the drone):

Here’s some of the original footage that was taken of the riots from the Robokopter:

This technology is an example of what Defense Tech calls “democratization of what was until very recently, military-grade tech:”

This is a straight up ISR drone that’s flying high above the streets of a major city taking camera footage that was once the exclusive domain of high-priced news choppers and government helos.

By the way, the Warsaw Business Journal continues to describe the events of the riots in with a leftist group called the Colourful Independent blocked an Independence Day march organized by youth groups. It reports that 46 people have been charged thus far:

A police plan to keep hostile marchers separate from one another was successful, said national police spokesperson Mariusz Sokołowski. However, he added that “thugs and hooligans joined the marches to target police.”

President Bronisław Komorowski said that the riots were a “national shame” and that laws should be changed so event organizers bear greater responsibility in the future. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that he was in favor of a law to make Independence Day event organizers take mandatory insurance to cover any losses.

Here is another view of police headed toward the riots from a Robokopter:

[H/T Business Insider]