The Arlington Police Department Aviation Unit operates a small unmanned aerial system, one of many public safety tools available to officers in an ongoing effort to keep Arlington residents and visitors safe. This web page has been developed to provide information about the Aviation Unit and its small unmanned aerial system.

What is the purpose of the Aviation Unit?

The Aviation Unit is comprised of fourteen specially-trained police officers from various areas of the department. They are trained to use the Small Unmanned Aerial System or sUAS in a variety of public safety operations such as helping to find missing individuals, searching for suspects who are actively fleeing from the police and providing assistance in assessing damages and losses from natural disasters. The sUAS can also be used to take forensic photographs of complex crime scenes. Officers cannot use this small device in vehicle pursuits or to help with traffic citations. It will not carry weapons of any kind nor will it be used for routine patrols and surveillance.

What are the specifications of the equipment being used by the Aviation Unit?

The Aviation Unit operates multiple aircraft depending on the mission required. These battery-operated quadcopters carry professional grade cameras and sensors that can add an additional element of officer safety to emergency operations. The officer pilot uses a handheld control device, which relies on radio telemetry to control the aircraft, capture images, and record video. The small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) platforms that we deploy have onboard safety systems, including a "return to home" mode if the system loses contact with the officer pilot or it runs low on battery power. The majority of the aircraft used by the Aviation Unit is small enough to hold in one hand.

When and where can the system fly?

The sUAS can operate in the National Airspace System (NAS) with permission from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The authority to fly comes from a public or private Certificate of Authorization. Additionally, the Aviation Unit complies with Texas Government Code 423 related to the use of UAS in Texas as well as the 4th amendment to the United States Constitution. Most of the missions flown are deployed during emergencies by patrol officers to keep officers and citizens safe. The Aviation Unit also routinely supports special events when requested.

Why purchase small aerial systems instead of larger, more commonly used helicopters?

For law enforcement agencies, smaller unmanned aircraft technology provides an alternative to traditional aviation. Unmanned or remotely piloted aircraft systems are more affordable to own and operate than traditional fixed-wing planes and piloted helicopters. Additionally, the mission of a UAS can emulate that of a pole camera. For example, while it would be dangerous to send an officer into an attic to search for an armed suspect, a small quadcopter can accomplish much of the same mission with no danger to the officer flying the UAS.

Who makes the final decision on whether the sUAS is used?

The Arlington Police Department has established specific procedures for when and how the small unmanned aerial system can be used. All flights are pre-approved by a designated Aviation Unit Officer who has completed a flight school. Local airports and federal counterparts are also notified when required by regulations. Each flight is logged and reported both to the FAA and the State of Texas bi-annually as required by the Government Code. These logs are routinely audited through internal procedures to ensure the UAS is used in accordance with policy and law.

Will my privacy be impacted?

Maintaining an individual's privacy and protecting the civil liberties of all persons is of paramount importance to the Arlington Police Department. The department is bound by federal law and the laws of the State of Texas that direct search and seizures. The small unmanned aerial system is no different than the police officer in an elevated position. In order for a police officer to be present and searching for someone or something, the officer must have a search warrant or a judicially recognized exception to a search warrant. The same requirements apply to the operation of the sUAS.

Annual Report

Click here to read the 2022 report for the Use of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

For more information about the Arlington Police Department Aviation Unit, send email to [email protected].

Known Future Deployments

Please see the table below for information concerning known UAS deployment dates. Unless otherwise noted, training will generally occur at the Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center, which is located at 620 W Division Street. Deployments are contingent upon weather and pilot availability.