Pasco County Sheriff’s Office innovates tactical operations

Background

Pasco County, located just north of Tampa, Florida, is home to over 660,000 residents and features a mix of suburban and rural landscapes over its 868 square miles. Facing increasing demands for tactical and patrol support, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PSO) turned to Skydio to implement a robust drone program to enhance safety and efficiency.

Pasco County’s large footprint and mix of urban and rural landscapes presented the biggest challenge for the PSO. The Sheriff's Office needed to find a way to deploy technology that could keep up with the speed and complexity of tactical operations and public safety demands, wherever it was needed. Helicopters, while effective, were not always feasible for quick deployments due to their high cost, limitations on airspace in dense urban areas, and weather conditions.

In 2021, the PSO began integrating Skydio drones into its tactical and patrol operations for building clearance and reconnaissance. Over time, the program expanded to include patrol deployments, missing-person searches, and even wildfire monitoring. The Skydio X2, X10 and Dock have been instrumental in PSO’s success, providing thermal imaging, autonomous navigation, and quick deployment.

"We recognized early on that drones are not just about tactical missions—they are vital for missing persons and perimeter security," says Captain Andrew Denbo. "Our Skydio drones, equipped with thermal capabilities, allow us to locate suspects or missing individuals in minutes, not hours."

1. Locating a missing child using thermal technology
   
   When U.S. Marshals were tracking a suspect involved in a missing child case, PSO deployed its drones to assist in the search. After hours of searching with a helicopter, the suspect and child were still missing and the helicopter was called off due to weather. However, once a Skydio drone arrived on the scene, it was able to identify heat signatures under a pile of wood using thermal imagery. The drone pilot guided directly to the suspect’s location, leading to a swift resolution and the safe recovery of the child.

2. Wildfire evacuations
   
   Skydio drones helped PSO locate homeless individuals in encampments during a forest fire and guide rescue teams.

3. Vehicle pursuit and locating a suspect in darkness
   
   In another instance, PSO deputies were engaged in a vehicle pursuit along Interstate 75. The suspect fled on foot into a shadowed area under a streetlight. Despite efforts from the department’s air support unit, the suspect could not be located. One of the patrol deputies, equipped with a Skydio drone, launched it within 30 seconds. Using thermal imaging, the drone detected the suspect hiding in the shadows, a spot invisible to the naked eye. Deputies were able to safely apprehend him without further incident.

4. Reduced costs
   
   Drones have significantly reduced the need for costly helicopter deployments, allowing PSO to allocate resources more effectively across the county.

PSO plans to increase the number of docked drones strategically placed throughout the county, particularly in urban areas with high call volume. With continued support from Skydio, PSO aims to make drones an integral part of all patrol operations, further enhancing the safety of deputies and the community.