On September 8, 2026, Tiffin University Dragon Flight Fellows had the opportunity to take advantage of one of the many hands-on learning experiences that our fellowship programs have to offer. Students interested in law enforcement trained with the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team, Bellevue Police and Willard Police in Bettsville, OH.
Fellowships at TU provide students with a variety of real-world learning opportunities as an honor-level extension of their education. Currently with eight fellowships covering a variety of exciting topics, the Dragon Flight Fellowship is just one of several unique experiences available to Tiffin University students. The Dragon Flight Fellowship focuses on practical drone use across a wide array of disciplines and professions. Through this fellowship, students earn industry-relevant certifications and develop skills essential for rapidly evolving industries.
During this training, Dragon Flight fellows had the chance to practice indoor tactical drone operations through a search simulation looking for a mock suspect in a building. Students were able to observe law enforcement professionals and take part in the training themselves in an effort to explore how drones are used in real-world law enforcement operations.
Below, Ryan Gillmor, Director of the Dragon Flight Fellowship, answers questions about what the training was like, why they choose to do it and how this fellowship prepares students for their future careers utilizing drone technology.
How and why was this partnership between TU’s Dragon Flight Fellowship and these law enforcement offices forged?
The partnership between Tiffin University’s Dragon Flight Fellowship and area law enforcement agencies was forged through years of professional experience, established relationships and a shared commitment to using technology to better serve our communities.
As a retired law enforcement officer with more than 30 years of experience in the field, I have been fortunate to develop strong working relationships with numerous law enforcement agencies throughout the region. Those relationships provided a foundation for identifying a need for additional opportunities to introduce college students to the practical applications of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in public safety and to connect students directly with professionals who use this technology in the field.
Tiffin University has also established itself as a strong friend and partner to the local law enforcement community by hosting numerous training opportunities and supporting professional development for area agencies over the past several years. This existing relationship created a natural environment in which the University, law enforcement and the emerging field of public-safety drone operations could come together.
“This partnership with Tiffin University’s Dragon Flight Fellowship really is a win-win. The students have the opportunity to train directly alongside our deputies who serve on the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team, giving them real-world experience with how drones are being used in public safety. At the same time, having the students involved allows our team to conduct more realistic training exercises and create scenarios that benefit our deputies as well. It’s a great way to continue preparing the next generation while strengthening the partnership between Tiffin University, our Sheriff’s Office and the communities we serve.” – Seneca County Sheriff, Fred Stevens
“This partnership with Tiffin University’s Dragon Flight Fellowship really is a win-win. It’s a great way to continue preparing the next generation while strengthening the partnership between Tiffin University, our Sheriff’s Office and the communities we serve.” – Seneca County Sheriff, Fred Stevens
What were the participating students able to do during this training session?
The students were able to get hands-on training experience by utilizing drones to search for suspects that may be barricaded or hiding from law enforcement in a building. The students were able to experience first-person views from the drone as well as master the skill to fly in confined, dark environments. The importance of utilizing drones in high-risk environments instead of putting people in harm’s way was heavily emphasized. The students also assisted officers by role-playing as suspects. This gave them insight into what the drone is capable of.
How does this training experience tie into the overall goals of the Dragon Flight Fellowship?
The Tiffin University staff involved with the Dragon Flight Fellowship bring extensive experience working with law enforcement and emergency response agencies. They have provided drone operations and support during a variety of emergency and public-safety situations, giving the fellowship a strong foundation in the real-world use of UAS technology. This experience has helped shape the fellowship into more than an academic opportunity; it provides students with hands-on exposure to how drones can be used for search and rescue, emergency response, situational awareness, crime scene documentation and other public-safety missions.
How can students utilize the skills they gained during this training session toward their future career goals?
This collaborative approach allows the Dragon Flight Fellowship to serve as a bridge between higher education and the public-safety community, preparing students for future careers while helping law enforcement agencies explore and develop the next generation of UAS technology and operations.
What did you observe regarding the students’ engagement and growth from this experience?
The students were highly motivated and engaged during the training event. They asked questions, got involved and made the experience realistic. I believe they now have a better understanding of how drones can save lives, especially when used in public safety environments.
What would you say to a student considering the Dragon Flight program, but not sure if they want to make the commitment, after attending this training?
If you are interested in utilizing the latest drone technology as well as looking for creative ways to solve problems, then you are in the right place. The fellowship is about learning, gaining experience and building relationships with professionals at the same time. We empower students to join the fellowship as we are open to any new ideas they may have where a drone may be used to help better their profession.
How do you plan to build on this training experience within the Dragon Flight Fellowship in partnership with local law enforcement?
We will continue to build on this experience by involving more agencies and covering a variety of other training topics. The goal is to expose the students to the many uses of drones not only with local law enforcement but also different areas of public safety. In addition to hands-on skills, we will research and involve students with the legalese involving drone use by law enforcement.
Do you have any other hands-on learning opportunities or partner training exercises planned?
Yes, we have many hands-on experiences planned. We will be conducting Search and Rescue exercises utilizing drones. Crash reconstruction and 3D modeling are another project we will be exploring. We will continue to use drones to map various areas and produce valuable data that can be analyzed. We also worked on drone delivery and will continue to build on that experience. Some of the hands-on experiences we plan on researching are drone window washing and possibly producing a drone light show.
Are there other areas of interest within the Dragon Flight Fellowship beyond law enforcement that students will get hands-on training in?
Yes, there are numerous other career opportunities for Dragon Flight Fellows to be involved with. We have had two of our fellows work with a local agricultural company in the spraying fields. The fellowship also recently worked on using a drone to map an area of ecological interest to the biology department at Tiffin University. Here is a list of other projects we will be working on in the future:
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Media, Marketing & Storytelling | Aerial photography and videography for marketing, journalism, events, tourism, film, sports and promotional content. |
| Real Estate, Property & Insurance | Residential and commercial property imaging, inspections, virtual tours and insurance documentation. |
| Agriculture & Environmental Science | Precision agriculture, crop and livestock monitoring, forestry analysis and environmental assessment. |
| Construction, Engineering & Infrastructure | Surveying, mapping, construction progress tracking, 3D modeling, utilities and industrial inspections. |
| Public Safety, Emergency & Government Support | Disaster response, search and rescue, fire monitoring, traffic analysis and public safety training. |
| Healthcare, Humanitarian & Disaster Relief | Medical supply delivery, disaster assessment and humanitarian logistics support. |
| Transportation, Logistics & Autonomous Systems | Package delivery research, warehouse and port inspections and autonomous mobility testing. |
| Water & Environmental Monitoring | Flood mapping, water sampling and shorelines and coastal monitoring. |
| Education, Research & Workforce Training | FAA Part 107 training, STEM programs, drone academies, applied research and AI/autonomy testing. |
| Recreation, Sports & Creative Flight | Action filming, FPV flight and recreational drone applications. |
| Defense & Security (Regulated Exposure) | Introductory exposure to reconnaissance and counter-UAS, in compliance with all applicable regulations. |
What was your favorite part of this training exercise? Were there any notable lessons or highlights from the experience that will stick with you?
I enjoyed the enthusiasm and excitement of the students willing to participate in the flight operations. These students truly enjoyed themselves while learning at the same time. The officers also enjoyed the experience of working with the students. The officers also enjoyed being able to show them how they are using drone technology in their profession to solve difficult problems. I believe by building these relationships between the students and local law enforcement officers, we can only foster overall better understanding of each other. I believe by building these relationships it can be life changing for all involved as they will never forget their experiences in the fellowship.