A suicide threat in Hernando County was resolved recently, and Sheriff’s Office officials say it was thanks to a drone. They say that is just one example of how the drones are being used in law enforcement.

Hernando County's Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit was launched about two years ago, and so far, officials say the drones have been deployed more than 200 times.

Technology has evolved quite a bit since Cpl. Michael Woodward joined the Sheriff’s Office 10 years ago, when the department did not have a drone unit.

The 47-year-old jokes that he entered the academy later than most usually do, but that didn't affect his desire to serve.

“It’s the old cliché," he told Bay News 9's Katya Guillaume. "I wanted to help people and when I got in, I wanted to do it for a long time.”

He started off as a patrol officer and climbed his way up to corporal when he joined the Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit.

“Days are great," he said "You really get out there and really get to help the good people.”

Woodward said a lot has changed since his academy days, but one of the biggest changes he's seen was introducing the idea of using drones in the department two years ago. 

“I like to keep our agency on the cutting edge and do new things," he said, adding that his current job is something he never thought he’d be doing.

“When I go to thinking about what the future would bring, I knew that this was an up and coming thing, so it was just something that I tried, and I grew interested in it from there," Woodward said.

He started the program with just five drones, but now has 11 total and a handful of deputies operating them throughout the county. 

“There are restrictions like our Brooksville airport and stuff, but we have waivers that allow us to fly within that jurisdiction if need be," he said, noting that the unit is always ready to go at a moment’s notice.

“All of our vehicles, the majority of them are set up with command cabinets," he said. "We can be on scene and set up this whole command cabinet with the screens and everything within a matter of minutes.”

“As quick as we can get this deployed, could be the difference between saving somebody’s life and not,” he added.

Woodward said while that’s always been the goal, this new technology goes even further to help law enforcement officers protect themselves and others on dangerous calls. 

He noted that deploying a drone is quicker and cheaper than deploying a helicopter, and once the scene is assessed, deputies on the ground can go in to assist. 

Right now the officials with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office say the drones are deployed about 10 times a month to help out on calls.