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The CCSO Drone Unit enhances situational awareness, search and
rescue, and emergency response capabilities. All of the agency’s 34
drone pilots are FAA certified and train on a regular basis.

The Law Above:
hen a woman with a serious maintaining and responding with to calls
medical issue went missing for service.
W last year, help didn’t just come Drones are equipped with high-
CCSO Drone Unit
from deputies on the ground – it came resolution cameras, thermal imaging
from above. technology and mapping and modeling
Though he was off duty, Community software. All of the video and data are
Service Deputy Quentin Archie didn’t Keeping fed directly into the CCSO Real-Time
hesitate to respond, deploying his Collier Operations Center, allowing ROC
County Sheriff’s Office-issued drone to analysts and responding units on scene
assist in the nighttime search. Using the Collier Safe the ability to see exactly what the pilot
drone’s heat-sensing thermal imaging sees in real time. This enables deputies to
technology, he located the woman assess situations more comprehensively.
unconscious and hypothermic in a small area of water along This capability is particularly valuable in missing person searches,
a wood line. He then guided deputies on the ground to her search-and-rescue operations, crime scene investigations, and
location. Deputies delivered her to an EMS crew that was during large-scale events.
standing by. Thanks to CSD Archie’s drone and observational Drones can aid in rapid response times. In emergencies,
skills the woman was located, treated at a hospital and has since deploying a drone can provide a quick and agile means of
made a full recovery. assessing the extent of a crisis, enabling deputies to respond
Incidents like this underscore the growing impact of the promptly and effectively. This swift response can be crucial in
CCSO Drone Unit and why Sheriff Kevin Rambosk later situations where time is of the essence, such as in the case of traffic
honored CSD Archie with the agency’s Lifesaving Award for his accidents, natural disasters, or criminal activities in progress.
quick thinking and skill. Drones can work in tandem with a helicopter as well as deploy
CCSO has a fleet of drones that can rapidly respond when to multiple locations, providing extra eyes in the sky.
it might be impractical or unsafe to use a helicopter or a deputy. Over the years, the Drone Unit has enabled quicker response
It’s part of Sheriff Rambosk’s continuing commitment to the times, improved situational awareness, enhanced officer safety,
community to use the latest technology to help keep Collier and reduced costs. These benefits have made the agency’s
County safe. operations more efficient and effective, ultimately helping to make
“Our Drone Unit is a true force multiplier for our deputies our community safer.
and our community,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “It allows us to get “Whether we’re providing tactical support, searching for a
eyes on a scene quickly and safely, often before deputies even missing child or documenting major events such as a brush fire or
arrive, while reducing risk to everyone involved.” the aftermath of a hurricane, these drones enhance safety and give
The unit was formed in 2016. It is made up of 34 FAA- our deputies critical information when it matters most,” Sheriff
certified pilots from across the agency, including CSD Archie. Rambosk said.
Each pilot is assigned a drone which they are responsible for
CCSO continues to look ahead to the future with improved drone
technology to even better assist and protect our community.

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