DFR helps Wichita officers track and arrest fleeing suspect

Wichita Police officers responded to reports of fireworks being thrown from a downtown parking garage. When they arrived, they spotted the suspects in a red vehicle attempting to flee the area. After multiple failed attempts to stop the vehicle—and a near miss when the suspect narrowly struck an officer—the pursuit was called off due to the driver’s reckless behavior and the danger posed to the public.

Inside the Real-Time Information Center, an officer immediately began tracking the suspects through the city’s camera network and launched a Drone as First Responder (DFR) to assist from the air. The drone provided a live overhead view as the suspects abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot. Their movements and direction of travel were relayed in real time to officers on the ground, allowing units to quickly contain the area.

A brief foot pursuit followed, ending when an officer safely deployed a Taser to take the suspect into custody. The incident showcased the seamless coordination between technology, the DFR program, and officers on the ground—ensuring a safe and efficient resolution without further risk to the community.