How the Flir Scout Pro Is Transforming Law Enforcement Operations: Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska
When it comes to tactical operations, search and rescue missions, or pursuing suspects at night, the ability to see in complete darkness can be the difference between success and failure. The Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Office in rural western Nebraska has been putting the Flir Scout Pro thermal monocular to the test, with impressive results.
"We had a lot of fun with it," says Sergeant Mark Bliss of the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Office. "It has worked absolutely flawlessly and we do get quite a bit of use out of it."
Seeing in the Night
The Flir Scout Pro has already proven its worth in critical situations. Sergeant Bliss recounts a recent manhunt. "We were looking for a shooting suspect that came from out of state and ended up in a pursuit and then ditched the car. We got to use the Flir Scout Pro and the drone and the helicopter," he said.
While the suspect had already fled the scene, the operation demonstrated the Flir Scout Pro's ability to coordinate with other technologies in the field, including the department’s Flir SIRAS drone. The drone is equipped with a dual thermal imaging and visible camera payload, providing visibility from the air while the Scout Pro provided situational awareness from the ground.
What makes the Scout Pro stand out is its exceptional thermal imaging capability. With a 640 × 480 thermal resolution and with thermal sensitivity of less than 38 Millikelvin, it can detect people in complete darkness from up to 500 meters away.
“We used it one night with thermal imaging binoculars we had from another company and it outperformed that tremendously,” Bliss explained.
This superior performance comes from its advanced image processing technology and wide 32° field of view—the widest available on the market—allowing for rapid area sweeps.
Versatility in Daily Operations
The Scout Pro isn't just for high-stakes operations. Sergeant Bliss details how his department has integrated it into routine tasks:
"Our drug guys used it a couple times at night for patrols, and they really liked it," said Bliss. "I personally used it to track an injured deer after a car accident that ran into a field. I was able to quickly locate the deer and dispatch it."
The department even deployed it during a reported mountain lion sighting in a residential area, showcasing its versatility across various situations.
Built for the Demands of Law Enforcement
The Scout Pro's durability is a standout feature for officers. With an IP67 rating and drop-test rated to two meters, it can withstand drops, dust, and water exposure in all types of climates.
Sergeant Bliss noted, "It seems pretty sturdy — a similar type of material as a rifle scope, so it seems pretty durable."
Law enforcement officials also appreciate its compact size and lightweight design—it weighs just 498g or 1lb 2oz—making it easy to carry during extended operations.
"When some of our guys checked it out and used it for a night shift, they took the unit and attached it on the external vest carriers and carried it all night," Bliss explained. "They don't even notice it on them but it's on their vest."
Enhancing Team Coordination
One of the Scout Pro's most valuable features is its ability to stream video in real-time.
"The nice thing about it is we could hook it up to a phone and we can do screen sharing," recalled Bliss. "We could share the image to one of our big screens just like we do with the drone footage. We can also share that screen over the internet as well."
This connectivity allows for better coordination between officers in the field and command centers, improving tactical decision-making and situational awareness.
For law enforcement agencies looking to enhance their night operations capability, the FLIR Scout Pro offers a powerful combination of performance, durability, and ease of use that has already proven its worth in real-world scenarios.
