Technology plays a crucial role in modern law enforcement, helping officers work more efficiently, solve crimes faster and keep communities safer. From body cameras and real-time communication tools to facial recognition software, these tools support transparency, improve response time and aid in investigations. As technology continues to evolve, it will continue to be an essential partner in building trust and improving public safety. Technology in law enforcement is continually advancing, and several innovations have proven their effectiveness over time.

Drones: Aerial Technology Enhancing Law Enforcement Operations

Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles, are remotely operated aircraft equipped to carry cameras, sensors, communications gear and other payloads. They come in various configurations, including fixed-wing models, but the type most frequently used in law enforcement is the compact multi-rotor platform. Outfitted with advanced cameras, speakers and other technology, these drones provide critical aerial awareness in situations where officers on the ground lack visibility or access.

How Law Enforcement Is Using Drones

While their capabilities continue to evolve, drones have already proven highly effective in public safety scenarios.

Search and Rescue

Drones are invaluable tools in missing persons cases and disaster response missions. They allow deputies to search large areas rapidly, providing real-time imagery before ground units are deployed. Compared to air support helicopters, drones are faster to launch and significantly more cost-effective.

Crime Scene Investigation

In crime scene analysis, drones can be used to create aerial maps, document evidence locations and assist with scene reconstruction. Their ability to capture high-resolution imagery from above offers a new perspective that enhances investigative accuracy.

Active Shooter Response

During active shooter events, drones can be deployed immediately to support tactical operations. By scanning the area for suspects or victims, they provide live intelligence to law enforcement without placing them in harm’s way.

Hostage Situations

Drones equipped with high-definition and infrared cameras can be positioned outside windows to gather critical visual information. This helps law enforcement assess suspect and hostage locations inside buildings, often before tactical units enter.

Advanced Deployment

Drones are commonly deployed for surveillance, crowd monitoring and scene reconnaissance. They provide officers with critical situational awareness by identifying potential hazards before they even arrive on scene. Once on location, a deputy can typically launch a drone within five minutes.

Looking ahead, advancements in drone technology point toward automated deployment systems. Law enforcement agencies may soon utilize compact drones docked on patrol vehicles, programmed to launch autonomously and accompany officers on foot, streaming live video feeds back to central communications in real time.

Guidelines for Drone Use in Law Enforcement

The flight of drones is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration but in Florida their use is regulated by Florida Statute 934.50. Drones can be used in compliance within the following guidelines:

• With a search warrant authorizing the use for a specific reason.
• In urgent situations where quick action is needed to protect lives, prevent serious property damage, stop a suspect from getting away, preserve evidence or help find a missing person.
• To provide for the surveillance of a crowd of 50 people or more guided by agency policy.
• For traffic management.
• For the collection of evidence at a crime scene or traffic crash.
• To assess damage due to a flood, wildfire or other natural disaster that is the subject of a declared emergency.

What You Should Know About Law Enforcement Drone Use

Law enforcement drone use is closely regulated to protect your privacy and follow the law. For example, drones can’t use facial recognition to identify someone unless a court specifically allows it. Also, any footage that isn’t directly tied to an active investigation has to be deleted within a reasonable amount of time. Drones are not used to collect or store random video footage. Drones cannot be flown by law enforcement over private property without permission or a warrant, unless there’s a specific emergency or legal exception that applies.

In Florida, state leaders are working to strike a balance that allows law enforcement to use drone technology to keep communities safe, while also protecting citizens’ rights and keeping data secure. Lawmakers continue to work to establish clearer guidelines and oversight for law enforcement’s deployment of drones, ensuring that their use aligns with citizens’ rights and expectations.

Real-Time Crime Centers: Technology-Driven Public Safety

A real-time crime center, or RTCC, is a high-tech command center that helps law enforcement keep communities safe. It pulls together live information from sources such as surveillance cameras, 911 calls and crime databases to give officers the tools they need to respond faster and make smarter decisions. All which improves safety for both the public and first responders.

The key is in the name — real-time. Information is gathered, analyzed and shared as events unfold, not after the fact. This means law enforcement can take action while incidents are still happening, rather than reacting later. RTCCs provide officers with up-to-the-minute intelligence, giving them a clearer understanding of what’s happening on the ground. This helps prevent crime, improves response times and increases safety for both the public and first responders. And by giving law enforcement a clearer picture of what’s happening in real time, RTCCs help solve crimes more quickly and prevent others from happening.

According to Police 1, real-time crime centers are rapidly expanding across the U.S., growing by 148% over the past four years with approximately 150 centers in use.

How do Real-Time Crime Centers Work?

Real-time crime centers (RTCCs) integrate technologies such as closed-circuit television (CCTV), facial recognition, and license plate readers to monitor urban areas. Information from every radio call and camera feed at the agency’s disposal is fed directly into the RTCC. Analysts communicate constantly with deputies on the ground to enhance their situational awareness.

RTCCs receive data from:

• Surveillance Cameras: Live feeds from city-wide CCTV and private business systems.
• License Plate Readers: Track and match plates to BOLOs (Be On the Lookout alerts).
• ShotSpotter/Gunfire Detection: Acoustic sensors detect and locate gunshots.
• Data Integration Platforms: Consolidate dispatch, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Records Management System (RMS) and social media into one view.
• Analyst Workstations: Trained personnel review data in real-time and send insights.
• Field Communication: Two-way radio, mobile app, and MDTs (Mobile Data Terminals) connect RTCC to officers.

Florida Leads the Way

The approximately two dozen real-time crime centers in Florida have demonstrated notable contributions to law enforcement effectiveness. For instance, the Capital Region Real Time Crime Center (CRRTCC) in Tallahassee, a collaboration among Florida State University’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida State University Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, has achieved significant outcomes. From February to December 2023, the CRRTCC provided over 5,000 analytical assists, facilitated the recovery of 180 stolen vehicles and developed leads in 61% of biometric searches. Continuing into 2024, efforts from January to June led to 178 arrests and the recovery of 60 additional stolen vehicles.

The Value of Body-Worn Cameras

Body-worn cameras are small video recording devices worn by law enforcement officers usually attached to their uniform or chest. These cameras record video and audio of interactions between officers and the public during calls, traffic stops, arrests and other incidents.

These cameras provide many benefits to law enforcement officers and citizens.

Transparency and Accountability

Body-worn cameras help provide a clear, unbiased record of interactions between law enforcement officers and the public, which can be used for accountability. These recordings can clarify events, support investigations, and protect both officers and civilians from potential misconduct or misunderstandings.

Evidence Gathering

The footage captured by body-worn cameras can be used as crucial evidence in criminal investigations and court cases. It helps document interactions that can support or dispute testimonies, providing a more accurate representation of events.

Protection Against Complaints

Body cameras can help protect officers from false accusations of misconduct. When incidents are recorded, officers have a documented record that can either confirm or refute claims made by civilians or suspects.

Deterrence of Misconduct

Knowing that their actions are being recorded can deter both law enforcement officers and civilians from engaging in inappropriate behavior. This can help improve the quality of interactions between law enforcement and the public.

Training and Policy Development

The recordings from body-worn cameras can be used in training officers and developing law enforcement policies. They provide real-life examples of how officers handle situations, which can be useful for improving response strategies and de-escalation techniques.

The Evolution of Body-Warn Cameras

The use of body-worn cameras in law enforcement began in the early 2000s with the introduction of bulky, low-resolution devices. Over time, the technology evolved, becoming more compact, reliable and widely adopted. By the late 2010s, many departments across the U.S. had integrated body worn cameras into standard operations. The 2020s have brought further advancements, including improved features, clearer policies and stricter data security protocols. Today, body worn cameras are a critical tool for documenting interactions, gathering evidence and increasing transparency.

Beyond documentation, body-worn cameras offer additional benefits that support law enforcement objectives. The recorded footage provides valuable material for officer training, allowing departments to review real-world encounters and refine practices. Just as significantly, the presence of cameras can encourage professionalism and help foster public trust.

Facial Recognition Software in Law Enforcement

Facial recognition is a technology that identifies or verifies a person by analyzing their facial features in images or video. It uses machine learning to compare a given photo against a database of stored images, looking for potential matches by examining specific points on the face. In law enforcement, agencies typically use facial recognition software provided by commercial vendors. These companies maintain large image databases and apply facial analysis to help match photos when searches are conducted.

Facial recognition software plays a significant role in law enforcement surveillance and identification. Here’s how it helps in each area:

Surveillance

• Real-time Monitoring: Facial recognition can scan live video feeds from security cameras in public spaces (i.e., airports, stadiums or city streets) to identify individuals on watchlists or alert authorities to suspicious activity.
• Crowd Control and Event Security: During large events, the technology can flag known criminals or persons of interest without the need for officers to manually screen the crowd.
• Augmenting Limited Manpower: This technology automates the process of monitoring multiple video feeds, reducing the burden on human analysts and allowing officers to focus on response rather than detection.

Identification

• Suspect Identification: When a crime occurs, facial recognition can analyze footage from surveillance cameras to match suspects against mugshot databases or driver’s license records.
• Finding Missing Persons: The software can identify missing children, elderly individuals with dementia, or victims of human trafficking if their image is captured in a public camera feed.
• Unidentified Persons: If someone is found unconscious or deceased without identification, facial recognition can assist in determining their identity quickly using Department of Motor Vehicles, immigration or other government photo databases.

How Does the Software Work?

Facial recognition software works by analyzing the unique features of a person’s face such as the distance between the eyes, the shape of the nose, or the contours of the jawline. When a photo or video is uploaded, the software maps these facial features and creates a kind of digital “faceprint.” It then compares that faceprint to a large database of stored images to look for possible matches. If a similar image is found, the software flags it as a potential match for further review. While the process involves complex algorithms and artificial intelligence, the goal is simple: to help identify people quickly and accurately based on their facial appearance.

Facial recognition software is seeing growing adoption among law enforcement agencies across the United States, though usage varies by jurisdiction. According to Police 1, the demand for this technology is being driven in large part by law enforcement, fueled by advances in artificial intelligence, lower implementation costs, and a rising need for enhanced security and surveillance capabilities.

Building Safer Communities with Technology

Technology is reshaping law enforcement by improving response times, increasing transparency and enhancing public safety. Tools such as drones, real-time crime centers, body-worn cameras and facial recognition software support more efficient and accountable policing. To ensure these tools are used responsibly, collaboration between law enforcement and communities is essential — through public input, clear policies and a shared commitment to safety and privacy.

About the Florida Sheriffs Association

Founded in 1893, the Florida Sheriffs Association was established to unite Florida’s sheriffs in advancing public safety, shaping legislation and fostering collaboration among law enforcement agencies. Over the decades, FSA has grown into a powerful advocate for law enforcement, providing training, resources and support to ensure the protection and security of Florida’s communities.

FSA’s Cooperative Purchasing Program offers a statewide purchasing contract for local governments, county sheriffs, county government, local county boards, municipalities, police agencies, other local public or public safety agencies and state universities and colleges. This program streamlines purchasing for local governments and their subsidiaries and helps fiscally restrained counties and departments get access to the latest tools they need to keep their communities safe.

The FSA Shared Asset Program provides funding for resources that enhance sheriffs’ ability to serve their communities and support neighboring agencies when needed. The program particularly benefits fiscally constrained counties and funds regional assets such as boats, utility terrain vehicles and drones.

Together, these programs strengthen emergency response and public safety across Florida, helping to advance law enforcement statewide and are made possible through the generous support of our members. To learn how you can support FSA, visit Ways to Give.

The Florida Sheriffs Association helps you stay informed on the latest law enforcement initiatives, public safety updates and the work of Florida’s sheriffs. From in-depth blogs to legislative news and community programs, we keep you connected to the issues that matter. Explore more at flsheriffs.org and stay engaged with Florida’s law enforcement community.