Peoria expands aviation unit, real-time crime center and plans drone program as part of public-safety strategy

Peoria police on Nov. 4 told the City Council that the city’s aviation unit and Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) have already been used to locate suspects and save lives, and outlined plans to expand coverage with a second aircraft and a drone-first-responder program.

Commander James Schmidt said the Bell 505 helicopter entered patrol operations in July and that “the aviation unit is definitely a force multiplier,” adding it brings the equivalent of “4 to 6 officers” to a scene through aerial oversight, thermal imaging and a spotlight system. Schmidt described rescue equipment and interoperable radios that allow multi‑agency coordination across West Valley jurisdictions.

City staff credited the aircraft with several operational outcomes: since patrol operations began, the unit has responded to 251 calls for service, conducted one rescue flight and recorded what staff described as 14 “preservations of life,” including a July rescue of a suicidal 13‑year‑old who was located by a heat signature and transported to a hospital. Schmidt said the department aims to have two full crews (pilot and tactical flight officer) by July 2026 to extend patrol hours and reduce downtime when an aircraft is unavailable for maintenance.

Assistant Chief Doug Steele and RTCC staff reported that the Real Time Crime Center, which went operational in March 2025, relies on traffic and building cameras, license‑plate readers and upgraded Axon body‑worn camera capabilities to support officers. Steele said the RTCC led officers to persons and vehicles 248 times during monitored shifts, was “eyes on scene” first on roughly 61% of the calls the center monitored, and supported about 76 fire operational calls. Staff described case examples in which the RTCC and license‑plate readers shortened pursuits, directed officers to specific stores or intersections, and helped officers effect arrests.

Steele described technical and staffing improvements that underpin those outcomes: integration of hundreds of city and school cameras, two‑way audio through upgraded body‑worn cameras that lets RTCC staff speak to officers on scene, strategic placement of license‑plate readers, and planned additions of civilian investigators to expand hours. The RTCC has also been recognized with national awards and staff won individual honors at the National Real Time Crime Center Association conference, the presenters said.

The department announced a contract with Flock Aerodrome for an automated drone first‑responder program. Staff said they have completed FAA paperwork, including a beyond‑visual line‑of‑sight waiver in partnership with Luke Air Force Base, and selected two launch sites that together would cover about 38 square miles — roughly 70% of current call volume for the city — enabling drones to be launched autonomously to provide eyes on a scene within minutes.

Council members asked how Peoria augments air support during scheduled maintenance and whether liability could arise if the helicopter is unavailable. Schmidt and Assistant Chief Steele said Peoria would request mutual aid (typically Phoenix or Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office) when the aircraft is grounded, and that while "there's a potential" for litigation in rare cases when a safety resource is not available, staff were not aware of precedent specific to aviation unit unavailability in their experience.

Mayor Jason Beck praised the coordinated program of aviation, RTCC and drone operations and noted grant funding and legislative support have helped the city acquire the technology. Staff emphasized the initiatives are designed to supplement patrol operations, improve response times and protect both residents and officers.