Amelia Frasure always had an interest in law enforcement, but it wasn’t until she enrolled at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, that her path truly began to take shape.
Surrounded by Greenville officers who visited her criminal justice classes to speak with students, Frasure got her first glimpse into the realities of policing. These interactions solidified her desire to pursue a career in law enforcement, and in 2019, she joined the Greenville Police Department.
Over the years, her role in law enforcement evolved into something she hadn’t anticipated – managing the department’s drone program.
In her nearly six years with the department, Frasure has gone from learning the ropes of drone operation to leading the entire unit, deploying drones in high-stakes scenarios like suspect searches, SWAT operations, and search and rescue missions.
Now, she is preparing to take on a new challenge: teaching full-time with Public Safety UAS (PSU), where she’ll share her expertise with officers across the country. Below, Frasure reflects on her law enforcement journey, the growing role of drones in policing and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
How did you become the drone program manager at the Greenville (N.C.) Police Department?
When I first joined the department, I saw drones being used for various calls for service and it immediately piqued my interest. The drone program was still in its early stages, having just started between 2019 and 2020. I got involved by working alongside the original program coordinator, which was really my first experience with drones.
By mid-2020, I applied to join the part-time drone unit. I was fortunate to be selected and began learning the ropes as a member of the team. When the previous program coordinator left the department, I applied for the position of program manager and was selected. It’s been such a rewarding experience and managing the drone program has given me a unique opportunity to blend my passion for law enforcement with technology.
I’m also transitioning into a full-time teaching role with PSU, where I’ll train other officers in the use of drones.
What does a typical day look like for you as a drone program manager?
No two days are the same and that’s what makes it exciting. As a police officer, I still perform my regular duties at the department, but in my role as the drone program manager, I’m responsible for a range of tasks.
First and foremost, I oversee the upkeep of all our equipment. That means making sure the drones are operational, performing regular maintenance and checking on our Certificates of Authorization (COAs) from the FAA. We run the drone unit under Part 107 regulations, so I also ensure that everything complies with federal rules.
On a typical day, I might start by checking in with other units like special operations, investigations and narcotics to see if there are any upcoming operations where drones might be beneficial. For example, if there’s a planned search or surveillance, we’ll determine how drones can support the effort. We work a lot with long-term investigations, but drones are also deployed in real-time situations. We have patrol officers who carry drones in their cars, so they can quickly deploy them on calls for service. If none of them are available, I usually have drones in my vehicle and can respond to calls myself.
What kind of calls for service are drones most commonly deployed for and how do they make a difference?
A lot of our work involves using drones in evolving or in-progress situations. Missing persons cases are where drones have been extremely useful. We can deploy drones to start searching areas quickly, covering more ground than officers on foot. We also use them for suspect searches when people run from officers. I encourage my team to think creatively. If they think a drone could be useful in a situation, I tell them to get it up in the air.
And then there’s the specialized work we do with SWAT. One of the unique tools we have is the DJI Avata, which allows us to conduct indoor flights. This is particularly useful for high-risk situations like barricades or active shooters, where we need to assess the layout of a building before sending in officers. We also use robots in combination with drones during SWAT operations. For example, we have an ICOR Mini-CALIBER robot that can open doors or clear spaces, followed by a drone that can give us a better view of the inside. This technology has made SWAT operations significantly safer for officers.
Another example is a small plane crash in May 2023, when drones played a critical role in locating the plane and passengers. This incident highlighted the value of drones in search and rescue, and it sparked my desire to improve how we use them in emergency situations.
In the video below, Frasure dives deeper into her role as UAS Program Manager and shares how drones are enhancing public safety at Greenville PD. Hear her thoughts on the future of drone technology in law enforcement.
What does training look like for officers in the drone unit?
When officers first join the drone unit, they go through an intensive two-week training program. The first week is mostly focused on preparing for the FAA Part 107 certification, which involves learning the federal regulations for operating drones. This includes everything from understanding airspace restrictions to knowing the legal limitations of drone usage. We want to make sure that officers are not only comfortable with the technology but are also aware of what they can and cannot do under the law.
The second week of training is much more hands-on. We run through scenario-based drills, both during the day and at night, to simulate real-life situations where drones would be used. This is where officers get to practice using our department’s specific equipment and learn how to apply it in different contexts, whether it’s tracking a suspect, conducting a search and rescue operation, or using the drone to assist SWAT. The goal is to ensure that by the end of the two weeks, officers feel confident deploying the drones on their own.
After that initial training, we continue training as a unit every other month. This ongoing training includes more scenario-based drills, and we also focus on keeping up with the latest technology and FAA updates. We regularly train with SWAT to ensure that our teams work well together in high-stakes operations. It’s important for us to make sure our drone officers are comfortable working with other units, like SWAT and K-9, so when the time comes for a real operation, they know how to integrate effectively.
What challenges have you faced with funding the drone program?
One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced is securing consistent funding for the program. Initially, our drones were purchased through a grant, but since then, most of our equipment has been funded through asset forfeiture or extra city funds. We’re working to get drones into the department’s regular budget so we can maintain and replace them as needed. For example, larger drones that are used frequently might need to be replaced every three to four years, so it’s important to plan ahead for those costs. It’s still a struggle and it’s something I hear from other agencies as well. Funding remains one of the biggest barriers to expanding drone programs.
How do you engage with the community to build trust in your drone program?
A big part of our drone program is transparency and community outreach. We try to have our drones at community events, where we do demonstrations for the public. We show them exactly how the drones work and what we use them for. This helps build trust with the community and reassures them that the drones are there to help, not to invade privacy. It’s always great to see the kids get excited about the technology, but it also opens up conversations with adults about how drones can benefit the community in real, tangible ways.
We’re seeing drones used more and more in law enforcement. What advancements do you think are on the horizon for drones in policing?
One of the biggest trends we’re seeing, and something I think is going to become more common, is drones as first responder (DFR) programs. The idea is to deploy drones ahead of officers to assess a scene before they arrive. This could be incredibly useful in high-risk situations like active shooters or hostage situations, where having real-time aerial footage could give officers a tactical advantage. It’s something we’re interested in pursuing at Greenville, but like many smaller agencies, the challenge comes down to funding and staffing. DFR is the future, but getting there is going to take some time and resources.
Another area where I see drones having a major impact is in being more proactive rather than reactive. Right now, we mostly deploy drones after something has already happened – whether it’s a search or an investigation. But drones have the potential to be used more proactively, like in water rescues or even ocean rescues. We’re seeing drones being used in places like beaches and lakes to prevent accidents before they happen. I think this same proactive approach could be applied in law enforcement, deploying drones in areas where we anticipate issues before they arise.
As technology continues to improve, I think we’ll also see drones becoming more integral in SWAT operations. Right now, we’re using drones alongside robots to clear buildings and perform reconnaissance, but I think this will become standard operating procedure for most agencies in the near future. Combining drones with other unmanned systems will make operations safer for officers and more efficient overall.
What advice would you give to other officers, especially female officers, looking to get into specialized units like the drone program?
The biggest piece of advice I can give is to have confidence in yourself. Taking that first step can be intimidating, especially in a field where you might not see many role models who look like you. But you have to trust that you’re capable of figuring things out. You may not have all the answers at the start and that’s OK. As long as you’re willing to learn and put in the work, you’ll find success.
Mentorship is also crucial. I’ve been fortunate to have had some incredible supervisors who guided me and gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities like the drone program. Much of what I know about drones came through self-teaching and research, so I’d encourage anyone interested in this field to be proactive in learning as much as they can. Having people who believe in you and push you to grow is invaluable. And it doesn’t have to be someone in your immediate agency. If you can find someone in your personal life or in the broader law enforcement community who can guide you, take advantage of that.
Finally, I’d say that a lot of success comes down to self-research and preparation. Whatever your goal is, make sure you’re knowledgeable about it. The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel when the opportunity presents itself. It’s easy to feel out of place, but confidence and preparation will take you far.
