Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Colorado Sheriff Uses Unmanned Aircraft For Search-and-Rescue Ops

The Mesa County (Colo.) Sheriff's Office has begun using the remote-controlled Draganflyer X6 unmanned helicopter to assist with search-and-rescue operations.

October 30, 2009
Colorado Sheriff Uses Unmanned Aircraft For Search-and-Rescue Ops

The Draganflyer X6 helicopter with an LX3 digital camera. Photo via Draganfly.

1 min to read


The Mesa County (Colo.) Sheriff's Office has begun using a remote-controlled unmanned helicopter to assist with search-and-rescue operations and other duties.

The law enforcement agency is using the Draganflyer X6 copter, which weighs about two pounds, to complement search operations. The mostly carbon-fiber vehicle is powered by brushless motors and rotor blades attached to the end of three arms, according to a story in the Grand Junction Free Press.

Ad Loading...

To use the vehicle, the sheriff's office had to undergo a complicated process to gain approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Draganflyer X6 is currently classified by the FAA in the same category as a reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle. This is the same classification that is used for the unmanned aerial vehicles used by the military in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to the company.

More Technology

Tinted blue background image of traffic with inset images for an ALPR camera, a police dispatcher, and a logo for Flock Safety.
TechnologyApril 16, 2026

Flock Safety Introduces Audit Assistance, Its Latest Trust & Compliance Tool

Audit Assistance is the latest tool in the Flock Trust & Compliance suite, a first-of-its-kind set of products and services that provides communities with guardrails and customization for accountability, transparency, and responsible use of the Flock platform.

Read More →
image of one closed laptop and one open laptop with Toughbook logo on screen, all against a blue gradient background
TechnologyApril 16, 2026

Panasonic Connect Launches the Toughbook 56

The Toughbook 56, the latest rugged laptop from Panasonic Connect, delivers enhanced performance, refined design, new levels of security, and power-efficient workflows in demanding environments.

Read More →
Collection of traffic control signs against a city backdrop and logos for Radarsign and Sourcewell.
TechnologyApril 16, 2026

Radarsign Awarded Sourcewell Contract Expanding Access to Traffic Safety Solutions

Radarsign’s traffic safety portfolio, including radar speed signs, flashing beacon systems, and more, are now available through Sourcewell purchasing contracts.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Rooftop view off a drone detection devise with two small rubber antennas with an view overlooking a large domed event venue.
TechnologyApril 9, 2026

D-Fend Solutions’ EnforceAir C-UAS System Secures Key Event with RF-Cyber Counter-Drone Technology

D-Fend Solutions deployed its EnforceAir C-UAS system in support of local police to help secure a 19,000-attendee event, leveraging its non-jamming approach to keep communications and authorized drones operational while safeguarding against rogue drone threats.

Read More →
Graphic showing four priorities for secure enterprise cloud adoption and a logo for Genetec.
TechnologyApril 2, 2026

Genetec Highlights Why Governance Defines Secure Cloud Adoption in Enterprise Physical Security

With World Cloud Security Day on April 3, Genetec outlines how enterprises can strengthen resilience as they modernize physical security in the cloud.

Read More →
police car geotab thumbnail for services whitepaper
SponsoredApril 1, 2026

A police department’s guide to fleet management and vehicle health

Today’s police departments face rising fleet costs and must stay ready to respond, no matter the call. In this eBook, get powerful insights to enhance your police fleet’s cost-efficiency, reliability and performance through data-driven tactics.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An automated license plate reader mounted on rear trunk of a car.
TechnologyMarch 26, 2026

Public Safety Surveillance Technology: Built on Compliance and Trust

ALPR solutions provider Leonardo explains why leveraging technology for safety must never come at the expense of constitutional rights or community trust. Every action within an ALPR system should be logged in a tamper-proof audit trail with query records of who accessed what data, when, and for what purpose.

Read More →
Promotional graphic for Patrolfinder featuring a police chief’s headshot inside a circular frame alongside a police SUV in the background. The headline reads: “Built for Patrol: How One Police Chief Fixed Communication, Boosted Visibility, and Changed the Culture.”
SponsoredMarch 17, 2026

Built for Patrol: How One Police Chief Fixed Communication, Boosted Visibility, and Changed the Culture

Patrol work hasn’t changed—but the expectations on officers have. See how one police chief helped officers get the right information at the right time, improve patrol visibility, and strengthen trust without adding complexity or surveillance. This real-world story shows how patrol-driven technology can make the job safer, smarter, and more effective—starting on day one.

Read More →
Back small device with headline ATD Gunshot Detection System and a logo for Acoem set against a tinted blue background image of a large city.
TechnologyFebruary 25, 2026

Acoem ATD to Showcase 96-Attribute Acoustic Intelligence Engine for Gunshot Detection

Unlike legacy gunshot detection architectures that require multiple sensors arranged in fixed meshes, Acoem ATD localizes threats with a single sensor by analyzing both the muzzle blast and the ballistic shockwave of a projectile.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Image of a persons hands on keyboard of laptop with screen that displays multiple images from security cameras
TechnologyFebruary 11, 2026

Genetec Adds New Capabilities for Security Center SaaS Users

Genetec has launched new investigation capabilities in Genetec Security Center SaaS to reduce investigation time from hours to minutes across complex, multi-site, and multi-vendor environments.

Read More →