Drone Operations
Small Unmanned Aircraft SystemThirteen FAA-licensed pilots fly the department's drones for crash scenes, missing person searches and incident overwatch. Deployed 21 times in 2025.
About the Drone Operations
The Chesterfield Township Department of Public Safety began its small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) program in 2018 to provide critical information during investigations, searches and planning. Drones give first responders quick overhead views of crime scenes, crash scenes and search areas for suspects or missing persons.
In July 2025 the department added a new drone to the fleet, the Skydio X-10. With more than a dozen deployments in its first six months of service it has already proven to be a valuable asset. Across the year the drone was deployed 21 times for on-scene assistance.
The X-10 is an American-made drone at the leading edge of public safety unmanned aircraft. It can be launched on scene in under two minutes and, with a maximum flight time of 40 minutes and three batteries that charge quickly in the field, it can stay in the air for the duration of a long incident.
The department currently has 13 FAA Part 107 licensed sUAS pilots, with a minimum of two on duty each day, so a drone can be in the air on any shift. Every pilot holds the Federal Aviation Administration's remote pilot certificate, and the program flies under the same Part 107 rules that govern other small unmanned aircraft.
Responsibilities
- Document crash scenes from overhead for the Fatal Accident Investigation Team
- Search for missing persons and fleeing suspects with visual and thermal cameras
- Provide incident scene overwatch for officers and firefighters
- Support search and rescue on land and along the shoreline
- Assess damage after storms and other disasters
- Photograph crime scenes for evidence technicians and detectives
- Maintain FAA Part 107 certification and flight logs for every pilot
Skydio X-10 Capabilities
The X-10 carries the sensors and safety features that make it useful across almost every type of call the department handles.
- 64-megapixel camera
- FLIR (forward-looking infrared) thermal camera
- Spotlight
- Loudspeaker
- 360-degree obstacle avoidance
- IP55 protection rating against dust and water
- Deployable on scene in under two minutes
- Maximum flight time of 40 minutes with three quick-charging batteries
- Deployment uses include crash scene investigation, missing person searches, incident overwatch, search and rescue, and disaster assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the department use a drone?
Drones are deployed for crash scene investigations, searches for missing persons or suspects, incident overwatch, search and rescue and disaster assessment. The drone was deployed 21 times in 2025.
Who flies the drones?
The department has 13 pilots licensed under FAA Part 107, with a minimum of two on duty each day.
Can the drone see at night?
Yes. The Skydio X-10 carries a FLIR thermal camera and a spotlight in addition to its 64-megapixel camera, which makes it effective for night searches.