A new addition to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office has been announced – an Unmanned Aerial System that will be used for search and rescue situations.  

The new UAS is equipped with spotlights, a public address system and forward looking thermal cameras, which provide infrared radiation and night imaging.  

A group of deputies were carefully selected to operate the UAS.  They will be trained and licensed in the appropriate legal use of the systems and adhere to the Illinois Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act.   

The UAS system can go into areas and terrains officers can’t safely enter.  Additionally, the UAS system can show heat signatures and cover a large area in just a few minutes. 

The new system will be going into service in the next couple of months.