Police

ASOC Basics

Personnel in the ASOC monitor the information that is coming in and provide real-time updates to officers on the ground. They are also available on demand to find information for officers and detectives.

Seconds matter in an emergency, and the ASOC will allow officers to respond faster and with more precision to unfolding incidents. Real-time information will allow for more effective and efficient responses. Also, the department will be able to better determine where officers are needed most and make the best use of our resources. View the ASOC introduction video.

Drone as a First Responder Program

The Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program deploys small, unmanned aircraft systems (drones) to rapidly respond to emergency calls for service, providing real-time situational awareness to public safety personnel. This multi-agency initiative, led collaboratively by the Chesterfield County Police Department, Emergency Communications Center (ECC), Fire and EMS and the Sheriff’s Office, enhances emergency response capabilities, strengthens community and first-responder safety, and supports data-driven, transparent public safety operations.

How It Works

When the ECC receives a qualifying 911 call (such as an active threat, fire, missing person, robbery or other time-sensitive emergency), a trained DFR operator remotely launches a drone from a fixed location. The drone flies directly to the scene and streams live video to responding units, giving them critical information before they arrive. This workflow (dispatch, launch, response and reporting) has already been tested locally. Nationally, DFR programs average response times around 60–90 seconds. CCPD and our public safety partners have similar goals.

Drones do not replace first responders. They are a tool that supplements traditional response by arriving early, providing video and reducing uncertainty. People, not technology, remain responsible for all decisions and actions.

Privacy and Responsible Use

Privacy is a core pillar of the program. Planning documents emphasize:

• Transparency with the community
• Limitations on when deployments occur
• Responsible technology principles: fairness, security, accountability and appropriate use

The program is designed to ensure that drones are not used for broad surveillance, monitoring neighborhoods or random traffic enforcement, and video is only captured for legitimate public safety incidents.

Chesterfield public safety drones are only launched in response to specific calls for service in compliance with state law, not for continuous monitoring. Once a drone leaves its dock for a call, it will begin recording while in flight. During this transit, the camera remains forward facing and does not focus on any area unrelated to the call for service. The drone only captures operationally relevant footage and is never recording without a defined, lawful purpose.

The final retention schedule will follow county policy and state law which requires the department to purge the data after 21 days. Access is restricted to authorized personnel and is governed by digital evidence protocols. We have a strong emphasis on security, access controls and proper handling.

Safety, Oversight and Community Transparency

The following safeguards are in place to prevent misuse of drone technology:

• Mandatory operator training and certification
• Internal oversight and accountability frameworks
• Clear policy/standard operating procedures governing deployment
• Use of secure technology to prevent tampering
• Transparent communication with the community

The program includes ongoing collaboration with MedFlight, nearby hospitals, the Chesterfield Executive Airport and the DSCR facility to ensure airspace awareness and safe operations. The county has secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization, including a new Part 91 waiver approved in March 2026 (authorizing specific altitudes and operational parameters for safe urban flight), and is working toward additional capabilities like multi-drone authorization. All operations follow FAA rules. DFR operations comply with FAA regulations and safety best practices. Regular maintenance and safety checks exceed manufacturer recommendations.

DFR drones are equipped with automated return to home functions and safety features. Operators follow strict procedures, and maintenance schedules ensure reliable equipment performance.

The county will be using Skydio’s transparency dashboard, which can automatically publish flight data in a public facing format once operational. View the Skydio DFR Flight dashboard. For questions contact the Chesterfield DFR public safety group by email.

Coverage, Hours and Expansion

Initial coverage is focused on the Falling Creek police patrol district based on call-volume analysis and existing infrastructure. Future expansion is anticipated once the initial program is established and staffed.

Chesterfield public safety drones can operate during both day and night hours. We anticipate starting the program with coverage during peak demand periods, which will include a mix of daytime and nighttime operations. Initial deployment is expected to focus on high-call volume windows (for example, 1-9 p.m.). As the program matures, through phased implementation and staffing growth, operational hours may be expanded.

Training and Personnel

DFR operators undergo extensive training, including:

• CJIS certification (when required)
• Law enforcement or fire service orientation
• Skydio operator training
• In-house instruction from the program’s instructor group. Pilot schools are scheduled throughout the year to certify all operators.

Initially, drone pilots come from existing Chesterfield County Police Department, Fire and EMS and Sheriff’s Office UAS teams. The long-term plan is to transition to a hybrid model, with both public safety and dedicated professional staff positions to ensure scalability.

Funding and Future Growth

The program is supported by county resources and specialized funding for equipment, training and infrastructure. Cost efficiency has been factored into staffing and training decisions (e.g., using inhouse instructors when possible). Once the initial deployment proves successful, the county plans to expand to additional sites and potentially incorporate multi-drone capabilities. Planning documents note expansion will follow demonstrated safety, demand and community acceptance.

Automatic License Plate Readers

An Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) camera is a system that automatically captures, analyzes and compares license plate information against the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. The Chesterfield County Police Department (CCPD) uses both fixed and mobile ALPR systems to support investigations, locate stolen vehicles, enhance officer safety and provide real-time intelligence for patrol and specialized units.

Current CCPD ALPR Systems

• Flock Safety ALPR - fixed camera systems on public and private property
• Motorola Vigilant Solutions ALPR - mobile cameras installed on select CCPD vehicles

Operational Uses

CCPD applies ALPR technology in several investigative and operational ways:

• Supplying real-time alerts, for things such as stolen vehicles and wanted persons, to officers in the field through systems such as Flock Safety and Motorola Vigilant Solutions ALPR.
• Supporting criminal investigations, including apprehending dangerous criminals or locating suspects involved in thefts or other serious crimes, and locating missing and endangered persons (e.g., Amber Alerts).
• Assisting with rapid information access during dynamic, high stress calls, such as homicides, robberies and abductions.

Responsible ALPR Use is a Priority for CCPD

CCPD maintains stringent safeguards in accordance with Code of Virginia § 2.2-5517 and CCPD License Plate Reader policy 1.6.15:

• ALPR alerts are always tied to legitimate law‑enforcement purposes (e.g., wanted criminals, stolen vehicles or license plates, endangered missing persons).
• Data is used in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
• Only authorized, trained personnel may utilize ALPR platforms.
• Internal audits are conducted at least every 30 days and reported to the Virginia State Police annually.
• ALPR misuse is subject to disciplinary measures up to and including termination and criminal liability.

Officer Responses to ALPR alerts:

1. The officer receives a real‑time notification with vehicle information.
2. The officer must validate the information in the alert.
3. After validation, the officer may take law enforcement action.

Data Storage

ALPR images are stored for 21 days unless saved as part of a specific law enforcement investigation.

ALPR Arrests

Jan. 1 – Aug. 3, 2026

• Felony Arrests: 171
• Misdemeanor Arrests: 144
• Stolen Vehicles Recovered: 57

Success Stories

• Feb. 2, 2026
  Officers responded to multiple ALPR alerts on a vehicle involved in the abduction of a small child. Officers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop, recovering the child safely. Utilizing Flock allowed officers to locate the vehicle with the child inside almost immediately.
• Feb. 12, 2026
  Officers were investigating a stabbing that had just occurred, and a vehicle description was provided through dispatch. A Flock search was conducted, which showed a matching vehicle near the neighborhood shortly after the incident. Officers searched the area and located the suspect vehicle parked. The suspect was eventually found in the neighborhood and taken into custody.
• March 15, 2026
  Multiple officers responded to the area of Route 1 and Marina Drive for an ALPR alert on a suspect vehicle involved in a shooting earlier in the evening. The vehicle was located, and several officers stopped out with it. The driver was arrested, and a firearm was recovered.
• April 1, 2026
  An officer responded to the area of Kim Drive and Walmsley Boulevard for an ALPR alert on a wanted malicious wounding suspect. The vehicle was still in the area, and a traffic stop was conducted. The subject was taken into custody without issue.
• May 6, 2026
  Several officers responded to the Colonial Ridge Apartment complex for an ALPR alert on a subject wanted for abduction, strangulation, and assault. Officers located the vehicle parked at a nearby motel. The subject was taken into custody without issue.
• May 30, 2026
  An officer responded to the area of Reams Road for an ALPR alert on a vehicle involved in a shooting. The officer located the vehicle and made contact. The driver was identified as the shooter and taken into custody. A rifle was discovered in the trunk.
• June 7, 2026
  An officer responding to a shooting utilized Flock’s search function to locate recent hits on the suspect vehicle. He canvassed the area indicated by the alerts and located the vehicle parked nearby. Two suspects were ultimately taken into custody.
• July 18, 2026
  A detective utilized Flock’s search function to positively identify the suspect vehicle involved in an arson case.
• July 25, 2026
  A detective responded to the area of Route 1 and Marina Drive after an ALPR alert on a vehicle possibly driven by a subject with active homicide warrants out of North Carolina. The detective located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled before stopping on Courthouse Road. The driver was arrested and confirmed to be the homicide suspect referenced in the ALPR alert.

Community Connect Program

Chesterfield's Community Connect Program offers Chesterfield County residents and business owners a way to help keep their community safe. Through this program, residents can register their home cameras with the police department; registration does not allow the police department access to cameras. By registering, camera owners let the police department know where their cameras are so police can contact camera owners if a crime happens in their area. The owner then checks the cameras and can send the footage to police.

The ASOC can monitor live feeds from cameras only at locations that have voluntarily connected to the ASOC through the Community Connect program. Locations, typically businesses, can purchase a device that connects to the ASOC and allows the police department live access to the cameras to aid in emergency responses.

The police department is working to bring cameras in Chesterfield County Public Schools into the ASOC system so those cameras can be monitored live. Live monitoring of school cameras will take place only during critical incidents or when the safety of a student, faculty member, or SRO is in jeopardy. The system will not be used for simple assaults, larcenies, or any non-violent incident that is not in progress.