Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) Team Deployments (Fourth Quarter 2020)
Fourth Quarter 2020 statistics for sUAS Team deployments by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office
10/13/2020 – Mission Type: Assist Novato Police Department searching for wanted subject who fled traffic stop.
Case: 20-2658
Offense: AB109 Arrest Warrant, 148(a)(1) PC – Resist or Delay Officer
The Novato Police Department requested assistance searching an area for a subject who was wanted and fled on foot during a traffic stop. Police Officers and Deputies had already established a perimeter around the area where the subject was thought to be hiding. Members of the sUAS Team responded and searched the area utilizing FLIR technology on a UAV. The subject was not located.
10/31/2020 – Mission Type: Assist Marin County Search and Rescue with Search for Missing Person.
Case: SO20-2860
Offense: N/A
The sUAS Team was requested to assist the Marin County Search and Rescue Team with a search for a missing person. The sUAS Team responded and attempted to assist, but weather hampered the ability to fly the UAV’s.
11/18/2020 – Mission Type: Assist MCSO Investigations Division after Boat Fire Fatality.
Case: 20-2998
Offense: N/A
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division requested the assistance of the sUAS Team. A boat fire was reported the night before and a subject was located deceased. The sUAS Team was requested to obtain video and photo evidence of the boat during daylight hours. In addition, the sUAS was used to determine the feasibility of the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team deploying divers in and around the boat to search for evidence.
11/26/2020 – Mission Type: Suicidal Subject with a Gun
Case: 20-3112
Offenses: N/A
Deputies were dispatched to the report of a suicidal subject with a gun. One of the Deputies responding to the call was a member of the sUAS Team. Once on scene, the Deputy deployed their UAV in an attempt to locate the individual with the gun in or around the residence. In this instance, the Deputy was able to use the UAV to look for the subject instead of placing Deputies in harm’s way. The subject was ultimately located deceased near the residence by the UAV.
12/06/2020– Mission Type: Assist Marin County Search and Rescue with Search for Missing Hiker.
Case: 20-3222
Offense: N/A
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office sUAS Team was requested to assist the Marin County Search and Rescue Team search for a missing hiker. There was a request made for a helicopter, but due to weather the helicopter was unable to respond at the time. The sUAS Team deployed during darkness and utilized both FLIR technology and a spotlight to search for the missing subject and his dog. The sUAS Team was unable to locate the subject. The missing hiker and his dog were found the next day in an area not searched by the UAV.
12/11/2020 –Mission Type: Assist Novato Police Department with Barricaded Subject after Domestic Violence Incident.
Case: 20-3284 (Novato Police Case #NP20-3821)
Offense: 273.5 PC
The Novato Police Department requested assistance from the sUAS Team for a reported domestic violence suspect who was barricaded inside the residence. The Novato Police Department requested we assist with over watch of the area where the subject was barricaded as a measure of office safety. In addition, the UAV was eventually utilized to enter the residence and search for the subject. The UAV was unable to search the entire residence, but the subject was ultimately located deceased inside the residence by officers.