Deputies can now use drones indoors to search for suspects or hostages on potential SWAT calls.
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — Near the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, the buzz of drones inside a sheriff’s office substation is unmistakable.
Multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) dance around a conference room, with their human handlers testing their ability to fly under tables and chairs.
It’s a scene that plays out at least once a month at an agency that’s become the leader statewide in drone use in law enforcement.
“This is the wave of the future,” said Sergeant Jeremiah Gates. “This is the technology. This is where we’re going.”
Sgt. Gates oversees the agency’s drone team, which now features 14 different pilots, all certified to fly by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Each deputy carries a small drone in their patrol vehicle, allowing them to launch in a moment’s notice.
Last year, they responded to more than 70 calls, the highest on record since they launched the drone team in 2017.
“The technology is here to save lives,” said Sgt. Gates. “We’re able to do things this year that we were not able to do last year with these drones.”
One of those advancements is the ability to enter buildings and fly around inside, while monitoring what the drone is seeing from a video feed outside the building.
Sgt. Gates says that allows them to search a building for a subject without putting K-9 units or deputies in harm’s way.
“Before we send them in and put them in danger, I can fly a drone inside the building and get eyes inside, look for the suspect, potentially find the suspect, and then that way we can direct the SWAT team to right where they’re at,” said Gates.
They’re also able to use the drones outside to search for people, or even follow moving vehicles safely from the air.
Deputies must follow FAA rules, which include flying below 400 feet and remaining within visual line of sight of the drone.
“It is kind of interesting standing outside away from a scene while we’re operating something like this,” said Gates. “We can utilize this to follow vehicles, we can follow suspects on the run rather than chasing them, this drone can do that for us.”
The increase in law enforcement drone use has drawn privacy concerns from groups like the ACLU, which published a statement asking for more restrictions on police drone use.
“There is no reason that law enforcement should have access to consistent footage and recording of our everyday lives,” said Senior Policy Strategist Anaya Robinson.
Robinson and the ACLU of Colorado say they support innovation and new technology, but only if the public knows exactly what it’s being used for.
“Those policies also need to be public facing. The public has every right to know exactly what law enforcement is doing, and why,” said Robinson. “There are significant and severe privacy implications here when we allow law enforcement to use drones and other types of technology without regulation and without requiring that transparency to ensure accountability.”
Sgt. Gates says he understands the concerns, but believes the fears are misguided.
Sgt. Gates says they also need to obtain a warrant to search your backyard with a drone, similar to what they’d need to obtain to do it on the ground.
“The thermal does not allow me to look into your house to see which room you’re in or anything like that. We very much honor everyone’s security and safety,” said Gates.
Neighboring departments are also increasing their drone teams:
Adams County Sheriff’s Office: 7 drones, 15 operators
Denver Police Department: 3 Operators, partnership with Denver Fire for drone use
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