Drone Program

Starting around 2016, police departments across the world began employing Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAV’s or “drones”) as a tool to aid officers in search and rescue operations, incident overwatch, and scene photography.  The technology used in drones rapidly developed and advanced in a short amount of time.  Drones proved themselves to be extremely useful in police work from the start.   Drones are a feasible replacement for fixed wing aircraft and helicopters in many scenarios that law enforcement encounter.  They are far more cost effective, accessible, instantly deployable, and more maneuverable than their full-sized counterpart.  

In 2024, The El Dorado Police Department was granted funds from the city’s Sales Tax Program to purchase a drone and stand up a UAV program.  The department purchased a highly capable, American-made drone.  Policies were developed that regulate the department’s use of the drone to strictly adhere to the citizen’s 4^th amendment rights and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations.   The Skydio X10 was put into service in July of 2024 and immediately began assisting officers in their needs.  

The Skydio X10 takes high definition 4K video, has a telephoto zoom lens, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera, autonomous flight and obstacle avoidance technology in light and in complete darkness, and many more high-tech functions.  

Officers in the department that wish to fly the drone must first become certified “Remote Pilots” by the FAA.  This requires some extensive study in flight ground school topics such as air-space classification, weather characteristics, chart reading, and rules and regulations.   Officers take a test at an FAA testing facility to obtain their license.  The El Dorado Police Department flies drones under the FAA Part 107 rules.