Eye On Safety: New technology helping police departments across Oklahoma

From real-time surveillance to drone-assisted arrests, law enforcement across Oklahoma are using high-tech tools more often to keep the community safe.

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News 9 sat down with Moore Police Chief Todd Gibson to learn more.

Normally, officers are equipped with their standard equipment, including a badge, baton and service weapon. However, police departments across the state have recently begun using technology to make their job easier.

"[Officers] are showing up because something is not working out right," Gibson said. "We have to give them the judgment, problem solving [and] decision making abilities to go out and mediate problems with a variety of different options."

Gibson says suspects who might’ve gotten away in the past are now being tracked down faster, without as many boots on the ground.

For decades, catching a suspect meant law enforcement had to be quick on their feet, but now, Gibson says modern technology is giving law enforcement the upper hand.

With the addition of drones, officers can now safely track a suspect’s every move.

“We used to send officers into dangerous situations," Gibson said. "This is really the only option now. You can almost narrow the view and also at a safe distance.”

Gibson says real-time surveillance also gives officers an edge. In March, Moore officers responded to a reported vehicle break-in when the suspect fled.

"We're able to pop a drone up in the air with an infrared," Gibson said. "We saw a hot spot, which turned out to be a person hiding. We sent officers to that hot spot."

Gibson said the officers his department sent were able to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspect.

"Without putting any officer in harm's way or putting themselves in a situation that might end up with lethal consequences," Gibson said.

The Moore Police Department has a dozen drones, but many police departments are seeing success statewide.

Recent data from MPD shows the department launched drones nearly 700 times in a single year.

The usage of drones ranged from drone-assisted arrests to crowd control and even surveying crash scenes.