Ames Police Launches Drone Program To Strenghten Public Safety

The Ames Police department in Ames, Iowa, announced it has launched its drone program on the city’s Facebook post. “The program is designed to support public safety operations across our community,” the city of Ames says. 

Sgt. Blake Marshall, who leads the newly formed drone team, says the department currently has seven Part 107-certified Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) pilots, allowing them to operate drones commercially. The city has stated this will allow the department to locate missing persons more quickly, provide aerial views during emergencies or natural disasters, support traffic collision investigations, and enhance situational awareness during active incidents. 

Anzu Robotics Takes Flight In Ames

Ames law enforcement officers utilizing Anzu Raptor T for outdoor Search and Rescue efforts. The Raptor T drone combines a thermal camera capable of high-temperature alerts with a dual-camera system featuring a 20-megapixel wide-angle lens and 56x hybrid zoom. It offers up to 45 minutes of flight time and includes an RTK module for precise positioning without ground control points. Wide-angle sensors support omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, while a low-light mode improves performance in dark conditions. The Anzu drone is compact, supports fast charging, and is powered by U.S.-based Aloft Technologies. It does not enforce geofencing but integrates with Aloft for airspace approvals and flight logging, making it a flexible option for commercial use.

Interior Drones Expand Police Response Capabilities

“We have two smaller drones that are more used for interior purposes,” says Sgt. Blake Marshall. “The interior drones we use more to clear structures. If we have search warrants, barricaded persons, or other dangerous things, we can help remove officers from those types of situations. Send in our drone first — it can take a little look around to make sure nobody is in there or [is] a danger to the officers. And then we can go ahead and send the officers in,” the Sergeant said.

While there is no mention of which drones are being used to conduct indoor operations. My sources speculate they are DJI Avata drones. While some states have imposed restrictions on the use of Chinese drones for government agencies. Law enforcement agencies are turning to the DJI Avata 2 to support safer indoor investigations. 

It is a lightweight FPV drone designed for indoor use, weighing under a pound and featuring ducted propellers for safe navigation in tight spaces. Unlike traditional FPV Drones that require custom builds and advanced skills, the DJI Avata 2 offers a user-friendly setup suited for quick deployment. Its 4K stabilized camera provides clear video for structure clearing and situational awareness, while its compact design and quiet operation make it practical for law enforcement use in high-risk or confined environments.

Drone Program Funded Without Burdening Taxpayers

The Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program and its fleet is funded through the department’s asset forfeiture program.

“No cost to the taxpayer right now as we get this going. We took those asset forfeiture funds and we’ve rolled them back in to be able to purchase the drones and training we need to utilize those drones. To better help protect the community,” says Sgt. Blake Marshall. 

Under the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984, the Attorney General is authorized to use the Assets Forfeiture Fund to cover expenses related to property seizure, detention, management, and disposal.

Ames Police Department Prioritizes First Responder Safety And Innovation

Commercial and consumer drones are rapidly becoming a necessary tool for police departments around the world to operate safely. Whether it’s outdoor surveillance or gathering intelligence on suspects indoors, Drone as First Responder (DFR) has proven to be at the forefront of public safety.

DroneXL has reached out to the Ames Police Public Information Officer (PIO) for confirmation on the two indoor drones and was told Sgt. Blake Marshall would be in contact.

Sean Campbell