Drone / UAS

The Lytle Police Department’s drone team consists of highly trained and certified pilots. The team was formed in 2025 and comprises a total of three pilots. The DJI M30T, flown with Drone Sense, was carefully selected for its ability to accomplish a variety of missions under various conditions. This is not a full-time team but instead a part-time team that is activated to assist as needed.

Responsibilities

The Drone Team is designed to support other officers and units within the Police Department, as well as help out other members of the city government as needed. We can assist with a variety of missions, including search and rescue, crime and crash scene photographs, warrant services, and building searches. The drone is capable of performing a variety of tasks and can fly both day and night as it is equipped with a thermal camera.

Team Members

The pilots have been trained on how to fly the drone and are also required to obtain an FAA Remote Pilot License, which is renewed every two years. Our pilots are trained on where they are allowed to fly and, more importantly, where they are not allowed to fly under both FAA and state regulations. If you have any questions about the drone program or drones in general, please get in touch with Capt. Matthew Dear at (830) 709-0277 or by email at matthew.dear@lytletx.org.

Drone Reports:

2025 Drone Report - Not Completed