Chinese Drones Turbocharge Police Work in Texas

Chinese Drones have become an integral tool for the Hays County Sheriff's Office in Texas, aiding in everything from locating missing persons to SWAT operations.

A drone was crucial in a vehicle theft case just a few days ago, helping the San Marcos Police Department track and monitor suspects from the sky while guiding ground officers.

“In the stolen vehicle case, the drone was able to track and keep watch of the suspects while directing officers on the ground to the suspects. With the constant “eyes on” ability of the drone, pilots are able to give real-time situational awareness to officers on foot, keeping them safer,” the San Marcos Police Department explained.

But this was far from an isolated incident. The sheriff's office has reportedly deployed drones as many as 2,100 times since 2021, according to Patrol Sergeant Kelly Woodard.

“The quicker we can get one up, the quicker we can resolve the issue,” Woodard said.

These drones have proved to be valuable in various situations, from finding missing children or elderly people to assessing motor vehicle accidents that occur at night. Particularly in the heat of the summer, drones can be a safer, more efficient means to search for a missing person.

Chinese drones such as the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise and DJI RC Pro shown in these images are used by the Hays County Sheriff's Office.

Woodard explained, “You don't have your searchers falling out from the heat as well. You know, we're under a tarp… We're flying a drone. You cover more ground a lot quicker.”

Even though these Chinses drones can fly over people and operate at night, there are restrictions, especially when it comes to private property. “If we're searching for something that's in private property, we're going to apply for a search warrant… We're just not going to fly over somebody's house,” Woodard stated.

The Hays County Sheriff's Office, equipped with 10 to 15 drones, including the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise, and a drone pilot on every shift, remains committed to utilizing this technology for the safety and well-being of the community. It's a testament to how law enforcement agencies are innovating and adapting to the times.

Photos courtesy of KXAN.