As part of the Department’s ongoing effort to implement emerging technology from the Law Enforcement Field, the Lawrence Police Departments Drone Unit has been established. The Drone Unit will assist with searches for missing or endangered persons, crime scene investigations/documentation, and searches for fleeing suspects following the commission of a crime. Additionally, the drone will be used in the event of a natural disaster, such flooding. The Drone Unit will also be used to assist the Lawrence Fire Department and other City Departments.

The Police Department currently has two certified Drone operators, Officer Eddey Southworth and Officer Chris Cote. Both Officers are Part 107 certified. The certification entails taking a 60 question FAA pilot license test. The Unit will continue to grow as more members of the Department are in the process of being certified. As the program grows a variety of Drones will be purchased for specific uses. The Drones will also be used with the Department’s new state of the art Command Post