24 June 2026
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office successfully disarmed a knife-wielding suspect by using a drone.
The drone, with a powerful magnet attached to a cable, was able to snatch the knife away from the suspect, who was pretending to be asleep or unconscious.
It was an excellent test in a real-world situation, and weapon-disarming drones could ensure a safer option for law enforcement to approach dangerous situations.
Of course, in this case, the suspect was "playing possum," and did not react to the drone taking the knife out of his hands. A more active subject who might run away from the drone or actively resist the cable's attempts to attach the magnet to a weapon would be a challenge.
But The Droning Company is always encouraged when drones take on more roles in keeping police, fire, and other public safety professionals out of harm's way.
See the Drone Disarming in Action
