Policing Matters

July 14, 2026

New Ohio Law Establishes Warrant Requirements For Police Drone Searches

Ohio has enacted a new law governing the use of drones by law enforcement, reflecting the growing effort by legislatures to adapt Fourth Amendment principles to rapidly evolving surveillance technologies. Signed by Governor Mike DeWine, House Bill 251 establishes that, in most situations, police officers must obtain a search warrant before using a drone to conduct a search when a warrant would also have been required had officers entered the location in person.

The legislation recognizes that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become increasingly valuable investigative tools while also raising significant privacy concerns. Until now, Ohio law addressed some warrant requirements for surveillance conducted from manned aircraft but did not specifically regulate drones. House Bill 251 fills that gap by extending traditional constitutional search principles to unmanned aerial surveillance.

Principal Provisions

May 9, 2026

Police One Webinar: How Integrated Intelligence Accelerates Casework

by David Badertscher

As law enforcement agencies confront growing volumes of digital information and increasingly complex investigations, the challenge is no longer simply gathering data, it is connecting the right information quickly enough to generate actionable intelligence. This upcoming webinar explores how agencies are responding by moving toward more integrated and collaborative investigative environments that improve visibility, coordination, and analytical capability across systems and jurisdictions.

Drawing on real-world operational examples and practitioner insights, the discussion will examine where investigations most commonly stall in fragmented data environments and how connected systems can help investigators identify leads, uncover relationships, and develop cases more efficiently. Panelists will also explore how agencies are leveraging integrated workflows and analytics to accelerate “speed to intelligence” while minimizing additional complexity for investigators already working under demanding conditions.

Among the key issues to be addressed are:

April 24, 2026

Inside the Patrol Car: Where Split Second Decisions Shape Outcomes

by David Badertscher

Effective policing often begins long before an officer steps out of the vehicle. As highlighted in this Policing Matters Patrol Week feature, the patrol car serves as a mobile decision-making hub—where information is processed, risks are evaluated, and critical judgments are made in real time. Drawing on the experience of Sgt. John Banner of the White Settlement, Texas Police Department, a 2026 Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Valor recipient, the below information offers a practical and compelling look at how preparation, situational awareness, and disciplined habits shape outcomes in high-pressure encounters.

“The patrol car is more than transportation — it’s where officers process information, weigh risk and make decisions that can shape everything that follows.

In today’s special Policing Matters podcast for Patrol Week, Sgt. John Banner of the White Settlement (Texas) Police Department breaks down how officers assess risk in real time, from managing radio traffic and technology to making pursuit decisions under pressure. Banner was recently selected to receive the 2026 State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Valor, recognizing his actions during a call involving an armed suspect with explosive devices — a clear example of the kind of rapid, high-stakes decision-making officers face on patrol.

That same focus on preparation and decision-making is also behind our patrol car checklist, a simple, field-ready guide built to help officers reinforce safer, more consistent habits in and around the vehicle. Download it, share it and keep it handy for your next shift.

See all of our Patrol Week coverage here. Special thanks to our Patrol Week sponsor, Team GJ, for supporting this series.”

FROM: Police1 Roll Call, Sara Calms, Senior Editor, (April 22, 2026).