Which metro-east police departments have drones, and how do they use them?
Police departments in the metro-east and across Illinois deploy drones in their operations on occasion, but what are they allowed to use them for?
The Illinois Office of the Attorney General reports Illinois law enforcement agencies may use a drone only when the use is expressly authorized under 10 “narrow exceptions.”
Illinois state law allows law enforcement agencies to use drones in specific circumstances. Some of the permitted uses include to counter high risk of a terrorist attack; if a search warrant is obtained based on probable cause; if swift action is needed to prevent imminent harm to life, forestall the imminent escape of a suspect, or prevent destruction of evidence; to locate a missing person; and monitoring events for crowd safety. Restrictions and requirements apply, and this list is not exhaustive.
When monitoring special events for crowd safety, police are required to post a notice at the event location for at least 24 hours before the event and “clearly communicate” that drones may be used for real-time safety monitoring, the law stipulates.
In addition to complying with restrictions on drone use, local police departments using drones in Illinois are also required to implement a drone use policy.
The News-Democrat contacted officials with six local police departments to ask about their drone policies. Here’s what they said.
Belleville Police Department
The Belleville Police Department owns three drones as of Dec. 31, 2025, and deployed a drone 22 times between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, according to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.
Captain Todd Keilbach, administration commander at the Belleville Police Department, told the News-Democrat via email the department utilizes drones for a variety of public safety purposes, including, but not limited to:
- Search and rescue operations
- Missing or endangered person investigations
- Crime scene documentation and mapping
- Major crash scene documentation
- Tactical operations and high-risk incidents
- Disaster assessment and emergency response
- Situational awareness during large public events
Out of the 22 times the department deployed a drone during the reporting period, 15 times the purpose was listed as “Exigent Circumstances/Prevent Imminent Harm,” and the other seven uses were for “Missing/Endangered Person Search.”
There are dozens of missing persons cases in the metro-east, the News-Democrat previously reported.
Fairview Heights Police Department
The Fairview Heights Police Department currently owns two drones, officials told the News-Democrat in a recent email. One is for outdoor use only, and the other is a small indoor drone.
“We primarily deploy the outdoor drone in situations if we need a perimeter set up, trying to locate a suspect who may have ran or even in missing persons situations,” Fairview Heights Police Department public information officer Jon Friederich said. “For the indoor drone, we can use this anytime we would like to clear a structure before sending officers in. SWAT teams like this method as well.”
In one recent incident last winter, the department flew a drone over frozen ponds looking for evidence as to whether there were children on the ice or if the ice had any holes.
O’Fallon Police Department
The O’Fallon Police Department has two drones, including one large unit primarily for outdoor use and a smaller drone that can fly into structures.
“We routinely use the large outdoor drone to monitor our several parades and festivals for crowd safety,” Eric Buck, lieutenant and drone program coordinator with OPD told the News-Democrat via email. “We check rooftops and monitor events for any suspicious people or anyone starting disturbances. To be in compliance with the law and policy, we are required to post signs and make public notice with 24 hours advancement that aerial drones will be in use.”
The department has also used its outdoor drone to locate missing children and older adults who have wandered and become lost.
“The thermal camera on the large drone is very useful at night to do this,” Buck said.
The O’Fallon Police Department has also used a drone on a few occasions to assist in locating fleeing suspects.
Shiloh Police Department
The Shiloh Police Department does not currently own a drone, Chief of Police Richard Wittenauer told the News-Democrat in a recent email, but officials are “looking into it.”
Shiloh officers have used the local fire department’s drone to help locate missing persons and also fleeing suspects, Wittenauer said.
Swansea Police Department
The Swansea Police Department has one drone and deployed it 10 times over the recent reporting period.
According to the department’s website, its drone program is designed to:
- “Provide cutting-edge traffic collision and crime-scene evidence documentation methods.
- Minimize risk to the public and officers by providing additional options to avoid violent encounters and utilize de-escalation tactics.
- Aid in the search and rescue of missing persons.
- Enhance response to bomb squad incidents, fire support, hazardous materials incidents, and other critical incidents, to reduce the risk to personnel entering a hazardous environment.”
The News-Democrat has also contacted city officials in East St. Louis about whether and how its police department uses drones. Information was not immediately available, but this story may be updated.
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