How Texas Cops Are Using Drones to Hunt Down Suspects
The Future of Policing Is Overhead
A high-tech manhunt unfolded in Harris County, Texas, last week—not with helicopters or SWAT teams, but with drones. A suspect fleeing on foot was tracked, surrounded, and captured using a combination of UAVs and K-9 units deployed by Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman’s office. It’s the latest example of how law enforcement is turning to drones as a force multiplier in sprawling urban landscapes.
“Drones give us eyes in the sky without risking deputies’ safety,” says a Precinct 4 spokesperson. “They’re game-changers for pursuits in dense areas.”
Precinct 4’s drone program, launched in August with just one UAV, has rapidly expanded to four DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise drones. These aren’t hobbyist toys: they’re deployed for search and rescue, criminal apprehensions, and even serving warrants. The department patrols a 520-square-mile area with over 1.2 million residents—a challenge for its 500+ deputies. Drones help bridge that gap.
Pilots, Policies, and Privacy
About 30 deputies are now FAA-certified drone pilots, with UAVs stored at five substations and checked out like patrol cars. But there are rules: flights must comply with FAA line-of-sight regulations, and recordings are only retained for active investigations. “We’re meticulous about privacy,” insists the department. “No random surveillance—every flight has a purpose.”
Despite controversy over using Chinese-made DJI drones (the same brand flagged by the Pentagon), Precinct 4 relies on American-owned DroneSense software for data management. Texas lawmakers are debating a ban on Chinese drones, but the constable’s office remains neutral—for now. Meanwhile, they’re doubling down: three more drones are slated to join the fleet next year.
“Critics worry about Big Brother, but this isn’t spycraft,” argues a deputy. “It’s about finding missing kids or stopping armed suspects before they hurt someone.”
As drone technology evolves, so does policing. Harris County’s experiment suggests the future of law enforcement may hinge not on boots on the ground, but on propellers in the air.
