DFR Technology Helps O’Fallon Police Apprehend Suspect in Under 15 Minutes

Introduction

Flock provides public safety technology designed to help law enforcement agencies capture objective evidence, resolve incidents faster, and protect officers in the field.

See how the O’Fallon Police Department leveraged Flock’s Drone-as-First-Responder (DFR) technology to safely resolve a high-risk call in minutes, protect ground units, and strengthen community trust.

The Challenge

While responding to a protective order violation, O’Fallon officers pursued a suspect who fled on foot under tree cover and jumped into a storm sewer system. Following the suspect underground posed safety risks to responding officers and a police K-9. Because ground units had no visibility into where the drainage line surfaced, establishing an effective perimeter was difficult without guessing where the suspect would emerge.

The Solution

Operated remotely through the Real Time Information Center (RTIC), the department’s DFR drone tracked the suspect from above while relaying his direction of travel to officers on the ground. When the suspect entered the sewer, the RTIC operator widened the camera view to identify the downstream exit point. Guided by real-time aerial intelligence, ground units and a K-9 team were directed to the outfall, where officers were waiting to take the suspect into custody safely in under 15 minutes.

Key Takeaways:

• Automated or manual dispatch triggered by 911 calls, LPR hits, or gunshot detection.

• High-definition video featuring thermal, night vision, 80x optical zoom, and 800x blended zoom.

• Auto-generate flight logs, mission reports, and success metrics after every flight for FAA and agency compliance.

• Public-facing community portal to share redacted flight details and build trust.

• NDAA compliant- designed, assembled, and entirely supported in the U.S.

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