The White County Sheriff’s Office in Sparta, TN, has launched an FAA-certified drone program, with Major John Meadows and Lieutenant James Blankenship earning their Remote Pilot Certificates after completing 15 hours of FAA Part 107 training and passing the required test.

The program allows drones to be used for public safety tasks like responding to high-risk threats, searching for fugitives or missing persons, investigating crashes or crimes on public property, supporting fire investigations, and executing search warrants. The office has developed a Standard Operating Procedure to ensure responsible use, addressing privacy concerns by limiting drone operations to specific scenarios.

A grant-funded drone from Vantage Robotics supports the program, with plans to explore Drone First Responder capabilities to enhance response times and efficiency while prioritizing community rights and safety.