This two-hour presentation will examine the rapid evolution of drone utilization at SWAT operations and provide areas of justification for drone procurement moving the needle from a want to a need. In today's environment, the progression of tactics at Surround and Callout operations should incorporate a drone or multiple drones. The NTOA's 2023 TROS recommendations for UAS deployment will also be discussed and Use Cases will be highlighted that justify drone procurement and deployment.

Mark Lang is a 29-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department and is currently in his 22nd year as a member of Dallas SWAT. Since 2008, he and his team of instructors have taught Public Venue Response and Deployment courses across the United States and into Canada. Foreseeing the domestic and international terrorist threats at public venues, Lang's team trains SWAT teams in the proactive deployment at major events. With an emphasis on police snipers, operators, bomb technicians and command and control, many consider Lang to be the Subject Matter Expert (SME) in this field. With his curriculum having been taught to officers ranging from limited-use venues to Levi's Stadium for Super Bowl 50, his instructing cadre completed their first NASCAR venue in May 2017.