02/26/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tell City Police Department Announces Early Success of New Drone Program
Tell City, Indiana — The Tell City Police Department is pleased to report early success following the deployment of its new Drone Program, an innovative initiative aimed at enhancing public safety, increasing officer efficiency, and strengthening emergency response capabilities throughout the community.
Since its implementation, the program has quickly proven to be a valuable operational asset. The department’s unmanned aerial system (UAS) has been used to assist with search operations, provide enhanced situational awareness during active calls for service, document incident scenes, and conduct real-time assessments of potentially hazardous situations. These capabilities enable officers to gather critical information more quickly while reducing risk to both the public and first responders.
Within the past week, the Tell City Police Department responded to two requests for assistance from the Perry County Sheriff’s Office. In both cases, the department’s drone played a key role in the rapid and safe return of unaccounted-for juveniles.
“This technology provides our responders with a perspective that was previously unavailable,” the department stated. “That enhanced awareness often results in quicker resolutions, improved safety, and more efficient use of resources.”
The Drone Program operates under strict guidelines and in full compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and Indiana law. All drone operators are properly trained and certified, and comprehensive policies are in place to ensure responsible use and protect individual privacy. Drones are deployed solely for legitimate public safety purposes and are not used for routine surveillance.
As the program continues to evolve, the Tell City Police Department plans to expand training opportunities, refine operational procedures, and explore additional public safety applications for drone technology. Community outreach and transparency will remain central to the program’s ongoing development.
This initiative has been made possible through strong community support and grant funding. The Tell City Police Department looks forward to continued success as the Drone Program grows and enhances service to the community.