Menominee County Sheriff's Drone Program Outlines Missions, Prompts Community Concerns

The Menominee County Sheriff’s Office, based in Keshena, says its unmanned aircraft system is intended to “enhance officer and public safety,” a mission statement published on the county UAS page declares. The department lists concrete roles for drones including accident scene documentation, outdoor crime-scene documentation, searches for missing persons, searches for wanted subjects within defined areas, disaster recovery and assessment, tactical response operations, and training.

Department materials say the UAS program exists to provide “increased situational awareness,” to “enhance officer safety,” and to “act as a force multiplier to improve operating efficiency.” The county page states that department policy “will set forth how the UAS program will operate the aircraft in coordination with law enforcement officers conducting a specific mission as guided by Federal Aviation Regulation Rules, 14 CFR Part 107.” That policy language also says it is “designed to minimized risk to people, property, and aircraft during the operation of the UAS while continuing to safeguard the right to privacy by all persons and furthermore comply with Wis Stat. 175.55.”

Area coverage and capabilities are described differently across nearby county pages, so officials and residents should note jurisdictional distinctions. A Menominee County page tied to Menominee, Michigan, lists a growing Drone Division and states, “The Menominee County Sheriff's Office has a growing Drone Division that includes two emergency response drones.” That page lists capabilities including thermal imaging, aerial lighting, broadcast speaker systems, and confined-space entry, and it thanks donors: “The purchase of our drones was made possible through the generosity of our community members, local businesses, and civic organizations. We appreciate your support!” That same Menominee County page accepts donations via Point & Pay.

Local coverage has also recorded comments from Sheriff Mike Holmes about video technology and training. Holmes said, “Officers can say what they want, and a suspect or victim can say what they want. The camera doesn’t lie.” He added, “It eliminates questions,” and “It just records what happens.” Coverage further notes the department has had in-car cameras in primary road-patrol cars “for around 18 years” and that body cameras are used by all officers, including in the jail. Coverage also reports the department’s training cadence: twice-yearly firearm training, yearly legal updates, and defensive tactics and defensive driving every other year.

For residents seeking to reach the Keshena-based office, the Menominee County (WI) Sheriff’s Office lists Chief Deputy Justin Hoffman as a contact, phone 715-799-3357 and fax 715-799-3595, with mailing address PO BOX 190, Keshena, WI 54135 and physical offices at W3269 Courthouse Lane, Keshena, WI 54135. Office hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday; after-hours nonemergency dispatch is 715-799-3881. Menominee County (MI) contacts include Jen Bastien, Drone Operator, phone 906-863-4441, at Menominee County Jail, 831 10th Avenue, Menominee, MI 49858; administrative hours Monday-Friday 8am-4pm with 24-hour road patrol and jail service seven days a week.

Officials have published operational aims and regulatory references, but several practical questions remain unanswered in public materials: whether the Keshena program already operates multiple drones, the specific models and sensor specifications, footage retention and public-access rules under Wis. Stat. 175.55, and whether certain flights require warrants. County contacts listed above can provide those details and copies of department UAS policy for residents who want the full operational and privacy rules.