ICSO to display unmanned drone program

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KSWT)- Drone technology is making its way to law enforcement in the Imperial Valley. Lt. Jimmy Duran, of the Imperial County Sheriff's Office (ICSO) said, it would give deputies an edge in fighting crime.

"Any type of technology that we're implementing here at the sheriff's office, I mean it just allows us to do our jobs better. Which equals the community getting better service."

Pilots will be trained to use the drones in all types of scenarios. 

ICSO Investigator, Eliseo Gonzalez said, "We're introducing top of the line software and technology. To have our pilots ready and trained for missions. Now, these missions vary from search and rescue to high profile missions to even hostage missions."

Meaning the lives of deputies won't be put in harm's way.

Lt. Duran added, "We can get really close to the house without sending a deputy in harm's way. We can even look through windows. We can even go into the house if we have an open window, open door."

The drones will be equipped with advanced technology giving law enforcement the tools to not miss the slightest details in a crime scene.

"We're able to see at night, heat signatures. We also are equipped with other drones that are equipped with cameras. That have advanced zooms. Where you're able to zoom in and get very detailed and very high definition picture of what you're actually looking at," said Gonzalez.

After months of trials, the Imperial County Sheriff's Office unmanned drone program officially goes online today.