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.
DRONES IN ACTION
There is a paradigm shift occurring in law enforcement as drones become a critical element in almost every aspect of emergency operations
Explore how this joint effort in Northern California is reshaping emergency response with faster, smarter, drone-driven solutions
DFR CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE
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
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
DFR provides considerable promise for increased safety, reduced response times and improved de-escalation capabilities for public safety agencies
What you may be overlooking when considering a Drone as First Responder program
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
PRODUCT VIDEOS
COMPLETE COVERAGE
In 2023, Dedrone detected more than one million drone flight violations, with 63% involving breaches of the FAA’s 400-foot altitude restriction
A top priority for state and federal legislatures should be to provide funding to replace potentially insecure drones with secure, North American- or allied-manufactured UAS
“They have labeled these [detentions of subway surfers] as apprehensions. We’re labeling them as lives saved,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry said
The expansion of NYPD’s Drones as First Responders program will allow drones to be deployed immediately in cases such as foot pursuits in wooded areas
Elk Grove officers arrested the man after he was spotted by the drone, first hiding along a freeway offramp, then as he fled again and tried to hide inside an unoccupied car
“We use drones for...operations that are potentially dangerous to human life...it’s completely changed our approaches,” Arlington PD Sgt. Robert Robertson said
At IACP 2024, an expert panel shared their best practices for integrating multiple technologies, such as DFR, into a real time crime center
The acquisition accelerates Flock Safety’s plan to introduce a line of American-made, National Defense Authorization Act-compliant drones
IN THE NEWS
- N.C. PD shaves response times by sending drone first to emergency calls
- Video: Man continuously fires at Wash. police vehicles, officers during SWAT standoff
- Calif. governor vetoes bill that would prohibit weaponized drones without exceptions for LE
- Video: Thermal imaging drone helps Wis. police find lost child in 100-acre cornfield
- First responders gather to test, evaluate how drones can be used to communicate with large crowds
MOST POPULAR
- D.C. PD adds drones, helicopter to enhance real-time crime center capabilities
- Birds attack NYPD drones patrolling for sharks off NYC beaches
- A day in the life of a drone program manager
- Crime surging? Here’s how technology can help
-
Overcoming funding challenges: How law enforcement can secure drone grants