The integration of drone technology in law enforcement has revolutionized police operations and emergency response strategies. This Police1 guide delves into the multifaceted role of drones, highlighting their utility in enhancing public safety, improving situational awareness and expediting response times. And as the landscape of public safety evolves, Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs are emerging as indispensable tools, bridging the gap between traditional policing methods and cutting-edge technology.
DFR PROGRAMS IN ACTION
By cutting response times and boosting situational awareness, the agency is making patrol safer and more efficient
By integrating DFR operations into its real time information center, Elk Grove PD is enhancing situational awareness, community trust and officer safety
Scottsdale Police didn’t follow a template; it built a Drone as First Responder program designed around its terrain, staffing and commitment to transparency
Drones are launched when pilots monitoring Live911 detect 911 calls that may benefit from aerial overwatch
Irving PD’s drones beat officers to the scene in over half of calls — and as civilian drone use grows, the agency is investing in tools to detect and manage airspace threats
In 2024, the agency’s DFR program had over 1,700 calls for service, with units first on scene for 72% of calls with an average response time of 70 seconds
With response times under a minute, real-time intelligence and a focus on de-escalation, Montgomery County’s Drone as First Responder program is redefining public safety
Since launching in 2018, Chula Vista PD’s drone program has responded to over 20,000 calls for service
Explore how this joint effort in Northern California is reshaping emergency response with faster, smarter, drone-driven solutions
Patrol officers will be able to watch live video feeds from drones dispatched to crime scenes by a gunshot detection system
With the DFR program, LVMPD is taking the next step to make them one of the most technologically advanced police agencies in the country
“The DFR program...integrates with the technology in our Real-Time Information Center [and] enhances our ability to allocate resources efficiently,” the Elk Grove PD stated
Expert strategies for optimizing your Drone as First Responder program as it scales, from staffing and policy to technology integration and community engagement
DFR CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE
Rahul Sidhu shares what agencies must know about building sustainable DFR programs — and why connectivity and AI will drive the next phase
From rooftop crews to citywide automation, Elk Grove has built the blueprint for scalable, 24/7 drone response — and it’s changing the game for public safety
The entire point of DFR is to see things. What’s the use of flying a drone if the suspect vehicle you’re searching for is just off-screen?
Drone as First Responder programs and real time crime centers enable cost-effective, centralized policing, delivering life-saving results and redefining traditional concepts of police work
A recent Flock Safety webinar outlined the benefits of drone as first responder programs: “DFR helps agencies optimize their resources and respond to calls more effectively.”
At IACP 2024, an expert panel shared their best practices for integrating multiple technologies, such as DFR, into a real time crime center
The next generation of DFR programs will reduce costs and expand operational periods by allowing public safety agencies to utilize the least number of human resources
DFR provides considerable promise for increased safety, reduced response times and improved de-escalation capabilities for public safety agencies
At scale, drones as first responder programs will be one of the most positive and impactful technology-driven changes to the safety of our cities ever
What you may be overlooking when considering a Drone as First Responder program
Learn how to secure the funding you need to launch and sustain a DFR program that enhances officer safety, speeds response and improves community outcomes
Stay informed on FAA drone waivers and regulations transforming public safety operations, including DFR advancements and the latest BVLOS innovations
PUBLIC SAFETY DRONE DEPLOYMENT
Starting or expanding a DFR program? Get expert insights, real-world case studies and best practices to boost your agency’s efficiency in this must-watch webinar
Drone as First Responder programs are giving dispatchers real-time eyes on incidents — and changing how they work with officers in the field
Inexpensive and easy to install, anti-collision lights dramatically improve drone visibility and help prevent midair collisions with manned aircraft
AI-powered drones could ease officer workloads, boost efficiency and enhance community safety
Pasco County’s use has grown dramatically as personnel find new missions and benefits
The potential banning of DJI drones may create a unique opportunity for American manufacturers to dominate the U.S. market
Drones are an escalating threat to stadiums, concerts and public gatherings — but law enforcement faces legal roadblocks. Here’s how multi-layered drone detection technology helps track, identify and stop bad actors
Police drone use is increasing, making it essential for agencies to adopt a sound law enforcement drone policy governing their use
From search-and-rescue operations to traffic monitoring, here are 11 innovative uses of drones in modern policing.
Amelia Frasure shares her experience as the UAS program manager of the Greenville Police Department’s drone program and her passion for training the next generation of drone operators
COMPLETE COVERAGE
Investigators can uncover flight logs, metadata and operator profiles to stop smugglers, spies and terrorists in their tracks
Embedding drone capability within SWAT teams improves real-time decision-making, reduces delays and enhances mission safety during high-risk operations
Launched from rooftops, Huntington Beach PD’s drones can be overhead in two minutes or less, improving situational awareness and reducing unnecessary officer deployments
The Wrap-Merlin 1 prototype launches Kevlar tethers to physically entangle hostile drones midair, offering a reusable alternative to traditional jamming or interceptor tools
The Beyond Visual Line of Sight proposal would eliminate the requirement for operators to obtain exemptions for flights that extend beyond the operator’s direct line of sight
The man shot the officer in the hand after a pursuit; he was found less than 24 hours later using a thermal drone and is being held on a $10M bond
Public safety leaders can use California’s experience — and emerging technologies — to avoid a downward spiral of cuts, crime and community decline
DRONERESPONDERS launches UNITE to build sustainable public safety drone programs with structured training, leadership development and operational support
Federal and state funding is making advanced tools like ALPRs, drones and real time crime centers more accessible to agencies of all sizes
Noblesville PD’s success shows how police agencies can launch beyond line-of-sight drone operations without red tape
MOST POPULAR
- Calif. PD considers using grant funds for DFR program
- Video: Man continuously fires at Wash. police vehicles, officers during SWAT standoff
- IWCE 2025 product spotlight: Verizon Frontline debuts remote aviation vehicle for emergency comms
- Drone as first responder program poised to boost N.Y. police department’s capabilities
- NYPD flying additional drones over trains to combat subway surfing after 2 teen deaths in a week
ABOUT THE SPONSOR: FLOCK SAFETY
Empower your agency to solve crime faster with Flock Safety’s city-wide safety platform. Our full-service, maintenance-free solution brings the power of technology at scale to solve more crime and shape a safer future for thousands of communities across the country. Flock Safety offers best-in-class license plate recognition (LPR) cameras, audio detection, RTCC software and more.
The acquisition accelerates Flock Safety’s plan to introduce a line of American-made, National Defense Authorization Act-compliant drones
A recent Flock Safety webinar outlined the benefits of drone as first responder programs: “DFR helps agencies optimize their resources and respond to calls more effectively.”