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O'Fallon police present custom 'drone truck' and expanded drone program
Summary
A police department video and staff presentation described a custom-built drone truck, 10 pilots and thermal-capable drones the department says speed search-and-rescue and suspect-location capabilities; council viewed the demonstration during the Sept. 25 meeting.
The O'Fallon Police Department used a video and on-screen remarks during the Sept. 25 meeting to show a custom-built 'drone truck' that houses multiple drones and related command equipment and to describe operational uses and claimed response-time improvements.
Presenters said the department has expanded to 10 drone pilots and 10 drones with thermal capability and is using drones for search-and-rescue, suspect monitoring and event coverage. The video described the truck as custom-designed by the department and fleet division to keep batteries charged, provide a large display for on-scene command and carry drones built to fly inside structures.
A department presenter said the truck is already in service, participates in patrol duties and can reduce certain response times from 20–30 minutes to “5 to 10 minutes” by having the vehicle and pilots staged and ready citywide. Presenters emphasized uses such as locating missing persons with dementia and monitoring ongoing incidents, saying thermal cameras extend capability in both day and night conditions.
Council members responded with brief remarks expressing pride and interest; no policy or ordinance change was proposed. The presentation was informational and highlighted the department’s effort to design an in-house vehicle to augment drone operations rather than rely exclusively on purchased solutions.
