Law enforcement agencies across the United States are increasingly encountering drones at public gatherings, emergency scenes, and sensitive locations. And as those encounters grow more common, officers on the ground need quick, reliable ways to understand what’s flying nearby. That’s the challenge Zing Drone Solutions hopes to address with a new handheld device called Z-SCAN MINI.
The company this week introduced Z-SCAN MINI at the DroneResponders National Public Safety UAS Conference, a major gathering where public safety agencies explore technologies designed to support safer drone operations and more effective incident response.
A portable Remote ID drone detection tool
Z-SCAN MINI is a compact drone Remote ID receiver designed specifically for law enforcement and public safety teams. Instead of relying on fixed infrastructure or large monitoring systems, officers can carry the device in the field to detect nearby drones and understand what’s happening in the airspace around them.
As drones increasingly appear during large public events, crime scenes, and perimeter security operations, the ability to quickly identify nearby aircraft has become a growing priority for agencies.
The handheld receiver is meant to provide instant situational awareness, helping officers determine whether a drone in the area is operating legitimately — or whether it might require further investigation.
Scans both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Remote ID signals
A key capability of Z-SCAN MINI is its ability to scan for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Remote ID broadcasts.
Under federal rules, most drones operating in the US are required to broadcast Remote ID signals that identify the aircraft and its location. However, these signals can use different transmission methods depending on the drone and manufacturer.
By scanning for both signal types, the device helps officers detect compliant drones that are properly broadcasting Remote ID. At the same time, it can reveal airspace where no Remote ID signals are present, which may indicate a drone that is not broadcasting as required.
That additional layer of verification can be important during active incidents or investigations.
“Remote ID is only useful if officers can trust what they’re seeing,” says Ian Annase, founder and CEO of Zing Drone Solutions. “By scanning both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Remote ID broadcasts, Z-SCAN MINI helps officers confirm when a drone is transmitting as expected, and when it is not,” Annase explained. “That distinction matters when you’re securing an event or responding to an incident.”
The handheld design makes the system suitable for patrol officers, tactical teams, and incident response units that need to quickly assess drone activity without deploying complex equipment.
As drones become more common in American airspace — whether used by hobbyists, commercial operators, or public safety teams themselves — tools like Z-SCAN MINI aim to give officers clearer visibility into what’s flying overhead. And for agencies responsible for protecting crowded events or sensitive locations, that kind of awareness could make a meaningful difference.
More: The DJI drone everyone’s been waiting for gets a launch date
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments