Ken Fricker

Birmingham City Council – City Operations Waste enforcement officer

• Investigate environmental offences including fly-tipping, littering, waste duty of care breaches and related environmental crime.
• Gather, assess and present evidence in accordance with relevant legislation including the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
• Conduct interviews, witness enquiries, surveillance activities and site inspections to support enforcement investigations.
• Prepare witness statements, case files and prosecution documentation for legal proceedings.
• Liaise with members of the public, businesses, contractors and partner agencies to achieve environmental compliance.
• Issue warnings, fixed penalty notices and recommend prosecutions where appropriate.
• Analyse intelligence, photographic evidence, CCTV footage and documentation to identify offenders.
• Maintain accurate records and case management systems ensuring compliance with evidential and data protection requirements.
• Represent the council professionally during investigations, enforcement actions and court proceedings.
• Support initiatives to improve environmental quality and reduce waste-related offences across the city.

• Environmental Enforcement
• Criminal & Civil Evidence Gathering
• Case File Preparation
• Witness Statement Writing
• Interviewing & Investigations
• Court & Legal Proceedings
• Regulatory Compliance
• Problem Solving
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Report Writing

• Serve as Senior Drone Pilot and Operations Manager overseeing a team of five full-time UAV pilots & four sub-contractor's pilots, managing day-to-day flight operations and ensuring full regulatory compliance.
• Responsible for mission governance, risk assessment, and planning, maintaining the highest safety and quality standards across all UAV operations.
• Supervise complex inspection and mapping projects, acting as a role model and mentor to junior pilots and peers.
• Lead large-scale aerial mapping missions in rural and urban environments, including the creation of digital twins of national infrastructure assets using LiDAR and photogrammetry.
• Collaborate with environmental stakeholders such as the Environment Agency and The Woodland Trust on volumetric analysis, river surveys, and environmental data capture projects.
• Oversee operational logistics for field deployments, providing senior leadership on location as required.
• Designed and implemented an in-house drone maintenance programme, ensuring equipment reliability and fleet readiness.
• Conduct testing and evaluation of new UAV platforms and payloads, supporting continuous technological improvement.
• Work closely with the Geospatial Department to enhance terrestrial 3D SLAM scanning systems and integrated workflows.
• Develop effective flight strategies and safety protocols, producing detailed risk assessments and method statements for varied complex operational environments.
• Deliver training and guidance to junior pilots, fostering team development and professional growth within the core drone unit.
• Experienced in RTK mission analysis for photogrammetry and LiDAR projects, utilising Ground Control Points (GCPs) such as Aero Points.
• Proficient in DJI Pilot2 Flighthub 2, Pix4D, and Drone Deploy for advanced flight planning and postprocessing.
• Currently completing a Level 5 OFQUA drone operations managers Course TQUK to advance leadership and operational management capabilities.
• Willing and able to travel extensively, including short-notice and long-term assignments across the UK and abroad.

i currently oversee drone operations across multiple projects throughout the UK, ensuring flights are carried out safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with CAA regulations and company procedures.

As the Accountable Manager for UAS operations, I am responsible for maintaining operational safety standards and ensuring all drone deployments meet regulatory and internal compliance requirements.

I lead and support a team of seven UAV pilots, providing operational guidance, mentoring, and oversight while promoting a strong safety culture within the team.

My role involves planning and coordinating aerial survey missions, including site assessments, risk management, flight planning, and airspace coordination to ensure operations run smoothly and safely.

I work closely with project managers, survey teams, and clients to deliver high-quality aerial data for surveying, mapping, and infrastructure inspection projects.

I am also responsible for maintaining operational documentation such as risk assessments, method statements, flight logs, and compliance records.

In addition, I oversee the management and readiness of the UAV fleet, ensuring equipment, software, and operational systems are properly maintained to support ongoing field deployments.

• Established and led Deeo's drone operations, initiating and managing the company's reality capture capability from the ground up.
• Coordinated equipment, logistics, and regulatory compliance, acting as the company's Accountable Manager for CAA operations and ensuring adherence to aviation standards.
• Recruited and developed two UAV teams covering the Midlands and Southern England, providing leadership, mentorship, and technical oversight.
• Delivered aerial and mobile LiDAR data capture for clients across multiple sectors, including local councils, housing associations, construction, asset management, and agriculture.
• Specialised in high-precision spatial data capture, processing, and analysis, producing accurate and detailed digital twins tailored to each project's needs.
• Led teams using advanced UAV and scanning technologies, including LiDAR, photogrammetry, Matterport, and Geo SLAM platforms.
• Held CAA GVC and Operational Authorisation, demonstrating proficiency in operating a wide range of DJI consumer and enterprise UAVs.
• Skilled in data processing and analysis across multiple geospatial software platforms to generate actionable insights.
• Experienced in risk assessment, mission planning, and operational safety management in complex and dynamic environments.
• Recognised for precision, reliability, and attention to detail, consistently delivering outstanding results and customer satisfaction.
• Mentored and trained junior team members, identifying and addressing knowledge gaps to promote continuous professional development.
• Strong client communication and stakeholder management skills, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and above expectations.

• operated specialist UAV within dedicated police drone unit, delivering aerial surveillance, search and rescue operations, and thermal imaging in complex environments.
• conducted spontaneous 24-hour deployments for search and rescue, intelligence gathering, and surveillance, utilising thermal imaging and infrared laser spotlight systems to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Provided aerial support at major public and sporting events, planned operations, and firearms incidents, ensuring precise coordination with ground units.
• Operated as an experienced UAV pilot within a specialist support directorate, holding a CAA GVC certification.
• Experienced in operating multi-platform and multi-rotor UAVs at both VLOS and BVLOS flight operations.
• Executed pre- and post-flight procedures, including site reconnaissance, TOLA (Take-Off and Landing Area) assessments, and risk evaluations.
• Maintained fleet readiness and operational capability by testing and deploying new UAV equipment and payloads.
• Possesses a strong working knowledge of UK Civil Aviation CAP 722, Air Navigation Order (ANO), and the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft (ATMUA) Act.
• Executed tasks with precision and reliability during high-pressure situations, maintaining safety and compliance.

• Managed diverse emergency incidents and public safety operations as a Police Officer with over 15 years of frontline experience within a dynamic response hub model.
• Delivered tactical, operational, and educational leadership as a Tutor Constable, mentoring and developing new recruits to meet professional policing standards.
• Provided tactical instruction and safety training as National Public Order and Personal Safety Trainer, enhancing skill levels of police officers and staff within the Training Academy.
• Qualified 'First Aid at Work' provider and Police Medic D13 qualification, trained in advanced life support and Armed Forces Mental Health First Aid, supporting colleagues in high-pressure environments.
• Skilled in resource planning and operational coordination, including staffing training courses and developing operational orders for large-scale events.
• Fostered teamwork and professionalism under demanding operational circumstances by developing strong interpersonal, decision-making, and leadership skills.
• Experienced in working at height and maintaining composure in challenging, high-risk, and often hostile conditions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams for planning, documentation, and internal communications.