Zoom Host Mark Christoffelsz introduced Paul York, who joined the Police Services after leaving school (and playing volleyball for Australia) He gained an insight into organised crime after working in Task Force investigations, and in 2010 formed SureFact with two friends with insurance and investigative experience. His company is now leading the market in aerial investigations and in locating assets hidden on private property.

Paul described how drones are cost-efficient, safe, quick to produce results,and can be used to locate stolen property, locate and pursue offenders. 

One of his drones is a Matrice 300, which costs around $42,000 and has up to 42 minutes flight time. These have artificial intelligence to provide a wide margin of safety, the ability to take high resolution photographs with thermal or infrared technology, fly on auto-pilot, shine a spotlight, broadcast sound, scan barcodes and the terrain. The camera alone can be half the cost of the drone. 

Paul showed three videos of drones in action, and told us how he used them 

1) In the re-commissioning of an 88Km railway line, passing information on the terrain to the engineers in a much shorter time than a land survey would take.

2) Assisting police in the theft of copper.

3) In the role of security guards covering a large site.

4) Taking a stock inventory inside a large warehouse.  (inspired by a fall off a stepladder by an auditor)

5) Safety inspection of power lines and towers.

6) Plotting the terrain where a quad-bike had accidentally rolled over.

Paul Rake described other uses of drones which did not involve his company, such as marital infidelity tracking, motor car accidents and WorkCare scams.

Questions from the audience elicited further facts about drones, (you can see some at https://www.riseabove.com.au/dji-matrice-300-rtk-drone) before Julie Clark thanked Paul for his talk.   

Paul York, Managing Director,  SureFact Australia P/L.

Paul is a security risk management expert with over a decade’s worth of experience as a member of Victorian police, Paul prides himself on delivering outcomes in even the most complex of investigations.

As managing director, Paul oversees day-to-day operations, including the planning and consultation stages of an investigation. He also personally leads all investigations in regards to workplace incidents and injuries, IR and HR investigations and all integrity related issues.

Paul holds an Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Police Investigation), Diploma of Security and Risk Management, Diploma of Government Fraud Control, Diploma of Government Investigation and a Diploma of Work Health and Safety.