CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As technology advances, so does the Corpus Christi Police Department when it comes to innovating new ways to fight crime. Sometimes, it could simply be providing an "eye in the sky" for officers on the ground.
CCPD gave 3NEWS an up-close look at how the department is using drones as a part of their daily response.
The department's drone capability has expanded over the last few years and its helping transform policing.
They've used the drones to help find lost children at the beach, and most recently, during CCPD's street racing operation downtown.
The addition is also proving to be a vital resource in keeping officers safe.
You almost don't know it's there unless you look up to the skies.
Arriving back to the roof top of CCPD headquarters downtown is one of the department's newest first responders.
The roof top is officer Ricardo Reyes II's office. He's the officer behind the controls.
"I've been a licensed pilot since 17," he said. "One of the things with Chief Markle and really all of our chiefs have figured out is technology is doing a lot is keep officers safe."
This year, the department launched what they call a "Drone as a First Responder Program," allowing them to launch from the main police department when they receive an emergency call.
"Pretty much the downtown area, I can see from here, all the way to just north to North Beach, down to Shoreline and Morgan, pretty much 286, that entire area up to 37 is accessible with the drone camera," Reyes said.
"It will beat the officers to a call, it can evaluate the situation and see what's going on," Assistant Chief David Blackmon said.
CCPD has a fleet of 30 drones and 14 certified officers to fly them.
The drones are fitted with red and blue flashing lights, cameras, and even thermal imaging tech.
"We have an external speaker so we can talk to this individual and, and ask him what's going on, tell him if he has any weapons, you know, to put them down, put his hands in the air," Blackmon said.
Recently, a CCPD drone was diverted from the new police academy ribbon-cutting to a nearby call involving suspicious men wearing masks.
The drone was able to get a visual even before officers arrived. It turns out the car was reported stolen. Responding officers found a handgun, stolen checks and illegal drugs. The three men were arrested.
"We launch that drone instead of putting an officer in a position where he may have a deadly encounter with someone that may be in crisis," Blackmon said "It's all about de-escalation. And what is de-escalation? Well, de-escalation is time and distance."
They have drones that crawl and can go into homes during an active search.
The tech is almost fully funded through donations from organizations like the Corpus Christi Police Foundation.
Assistant Chief Blackmon said they welcome new hires who have their drone operator certification, but they do train officers as well.