Louisiana Welsh PD Takes to the Skies with New Patrol Drones

For small police departments, having an eye in the sky has always been an unaffordable luxury, a tool reserved for big cities with helicopter budgets. But thanks to the accessibility of modern drone technology, that’s all changing. The Welsh Police Department in Louisiana is the latest to join the revolution, adding two high-tech drones to its force.

This small-town department is gearing up to use its new aerial assets for everything from managing chaotic Mardi Gras parades to searching for missing persons. It’s a smart, cost-effective move that will dramatically increase the department’s capabilities and make their community safer.

A “Bird’s-Eye View” for a Safer Town

The new drone program, which is expected to launch within a month, is being led by Patrol Officer Austin Mouton. As he points out, the “bird’s-eye view” that a drone provides is an unmatched advantage for law enforcement. During a sprawling event like a parade, a drone can be deployed in seconds and zip to a potential hotspot, giving officers a clear, real-time picture of the situation on the ground.

This is a massive advantage over traditional methods. Instead of relying on a neighboring agency’s expensive helicopter, which might take a long time to arrive, the Welsh PD can have its own asset in the air in minutes. Whether it’s a search for a missing child, tracking a suspect who has fled on foot, or getting an initial assessment of a major traffic accident, the drone is a powerful force multiplier.

The Right Tech for the Job

While the specific models haven’t been named, the drones are professional-grade and we could identify in the pics the Autel EVO Max. These are not toys. They are robust, reliable aircraft equipped with high-resolution cameras that, as Officer Mouton says, can see “clear as day” from 120 meters (nearly 400 feet) up, making them virtually invisible from the ground.

The inclusion of thermal cameras is a game-changer for night operations, allowing officers to spot a suspect hiding in the dark or find a lost person based on their body heat. With flight times of around 40 minutes and secure, encrypted video feeds, these drones are purpose-built for the demands of police work.

Building Community Trust

The Welsh Police Department is keenly aware that the idea of police drones can make some people uneasy. Officer Mouton has been proactive in addressing these privacy concerns head-on. He emphasizes that the drones will only be used in response to legitimate calls for service—not for random patrols or “peeping in backyards.”

This kind of transparency and public engagement is absolutely critical for the success of any police drone program. By educating the public about how and why the drones are being used, the department is building the community trust that is essential for these programs to be seen as a tool for safety, not surveillance. It’s a smart approach that stands in stark contrast to the secrecy that has caused public backlash in other areas.

DroneXL’s Take

It is always fantastic to see a small, local police department make a smart investment that will have a huge impact on their community. This is the grassroots level of the drone revolution, and in many ways, it’s the most important. This isn’t about massive military contracts; it’s about a dedicated officer like Austin Mouton using a powerful tool to make his town safer.

“Real talk,” the biggest challenge for a program like this is not the technology; it’s the public perception. The concerns people have about privacy are legitimate, and it’s up to departments like Welsh PD to lead by example with transparency and responsible use. Their proactive approach to community engagement is a model that every police department with a drone program should follow.

As a professional pilot, I know the incredible power a simple drone can have. The ability to get an overhead view of a chaotic scene is a superpower. It brings order to chaos and provides information that can de-escalate a dangerous situation or speed up a rescue.

This is the future of local policing. It’s smarter, it’s more efficient, and it’s safer for both the officers and the public. My hat is off to the Welsh Police Department for this forward-thinking move.

Photo credit: KATC 3 ABC