The MNPD’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) test program that began this week is directly responsible for Wednesday afternoon’s arrest of a domestic violence suspect in Madison.
A drone operator in the Community Safety Center at headquarters learned through a live 911 call that a 24-year-old woman on East Old Hickory Boulevard was reporting that her father assaulted her on the side of the road after she pulled over due to an argument and told him to get out. She said her father left on foot after the assault. A drone was launched from the roof of the Madison Precinct and was over the scene two minutes before a call could be created by the Department of Emergency Communications. A short time later, the drone operator spotted the suspect continuing to walk away and gave ground officers his location. Jackie Hopkins, 55, was arrested on Neelys Bend Road near Margaret Street. He is charged with domestic assault for allegedly twice punching his daughter in the face and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The DFR test program covers an area within a two-mile radius of the Madison Precinct, from where the drones are launched. The test program will be operational for 30 to 45 flight days.
