Date

7-22-2025

Department

School of Aeronautics

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation (PhD)

Chair

Mitchell A. Morrison

Keywords

law enforcement, drone, suburban, Texas, police, privacy

Disciplines

Aviation | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe the use of drones by suburban police departments in Texas, and its central research question asked how that drone use aligns with what prior research found the public supports. The research design used a holistic multiple-case approach that involved interviewing police officers who use drones as part of their law enforcement responsibilities. Relevant theoretical frameworks were social contract theory, Packer’s theory on law enforcement, and evidence-based policing theory. Data collection involved semistructured interviews of 13 officers representing the same number of Texas suburban police departments. The data collected and analyzed also included department policy documents, news articles, social media posts, and other information used primarily for triangulation. Data analysis relied on coding that identified several themes: using drones to save lives, treating the aircraft as useful but expendable tools, and fulfilling a responsibility to serve the public. The study’s findings suggest that the participants recognize and respect the boundaries associated with their drone use for law enforcement and that their uses coincide with missions that previous research shows the public tends to support, such as search and rescue. The study also documented some implications for policy and practice related to its findings and identified recommendations for future research.

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